He dismounted, fastened his horse to the thorn-tree, and seated himself beside Nance on the bank. Her face still retained much of the radiance that had poured into it with the first rush of relief.
"What has happened, then?"
"They kidnapped Jasper in Darvel's Wood. I guessed it. De Rothan has him shut up safely in that house of his beyond Sedlescombe."
"As a prisoner?"
"Yes."
"But how absurd, in these days! Then we shall soon have him out."
Jeremy wagged his head.
"My dear, you don't know Monsieur de Rothan."
"What do you mean?"
"He has the audacity of the devil. He has snapped up Jasper as a hostage, and dares us to interfere."