"No, I don't doubt you, but I won't let you out of my sight. We will arrange it in this way. You and I will start from the quay, and we will take up the others as proposed."
"Well, I'm agreeable," said the skipper. "But I understood that a young lady was going with you. Is she to be left behind?"
"No," replied Careless. "My friend will bring her with him. You will find her near the high cross on St. Augustine's Green," he added to Charles. "I would go there myself, but——"
"You don't want to leave me," supplied the skipper, with a laugh.
"Ay, that's just it," said Careless. "It won't make much difference to you," he continued, again addressing the king. "You need not come back. You can embark on the right bank of the river."
"Just as easily as on the left," remarked Captain Rooker, "if you can only get down the cliffs without breaking your neck."
"I will guide him," said Pope. "I know the path down the rocks."
"Well, the place will suit me," said Charles. "So you may look out for us at the entrance of the gorge, captain." Then, bending towards Careless, he added, in a low tone, "Don't lose sight of this man."
"Depend on me," replied Careless, in the same tone.
No one but Captain Rooker was aware that all that had passed had been overheard by David Price, who, on going forth, had left the door slightly ajar. The cunning rascal had now heard quite enough, and, fearful of being detected, crept cautiously away.