"I shall be blamed for neglect of duty if I do not make a thorough search," said the magistrate. "But I fancy the bird has flown," he added, with a glance at the priest.
Father Jerome made no reply, but Constance remarked, with apparent indifference:
"No one can have left the house without crossing the drawbridge, and that has been guarded. You will be able to state that you took all necessary precautions to prevent an escape."
"Yes, I shall be able to state that—and something besides," replied the magistrate, again glancing at the priest.
Just then, a noise was heard like the trampling of horses. Mr. Fowden uttered an exclamation of surprise, and a smile passed over the countenances of the two young ladies.
"I should have thought the men were crossing the drawbridge if I had not felt quite sure they would not depart without me," said Mr. Fowden.
"They have crossed the drawbridge—that's quite certain," observed the priest.
At this moment Markland entered the room.
"What have you been about?" cried the magistrate, angrily. "Have you dared to send my men away?"
"No, sir," replied the butler, vainly endeavouring to maintain a grave countenance; "but it seems that a trick has been played upon them."