And then, taking advantage of a few minutes during which Sybil was
engaged in her housekeeping corner of the chapel, he told Mr. Berners
that the search-warrants having failed to find the fugitives, a rumor
had been spread that they had certainly left the neighborhood on the
morning of the murder, and that they had been seen at Alexandria, by a
gentleman who had just come from that city.
"This story," added Captain Pendleton, "is so confidently reported and
believed, that an officer with a warrant has been this day dispatched to
Annapolis."
"Oh! good Heaven! How zealously her old neighbors do hunt my poor
guiltless Sybil," groaned Mr. Berners.
"Take courage! This rumor, together with the journey of the officer to
Annapolis, opens a way for your immediate escape. So I propose that you
prepare to leave this place to-morrow night, and take a bee line to
Norfolk. There you must take the first outward bound ship for Europe,
and remain abroad until you can with safety return home."
At this moment Sybil came up.
Without mentioning to her the existence of the warrants which were out
against her, and which was the only part of Captain Pendleton's
communication that it was expedient to conceal from her, Lyon Berners,
with a smile of encouragement, told her that they were to leave the
Haunted Chapel the next night, to go to Norfolk.
"And we cannot even yet go home?" sighed Sybil.
"No, dear wife; it would scarcely yet be prudent to do so. But we can go
to Europe, and travel over the Continent, and see the wonders of the
Old World, leaving our friend here with a power of attorney to manage
our estate and collect our revenues, and remit us money as we require
it. We can stay abroad and enjoy ourselves until such time as justice
shall be done, and we can return to our home, not only with safety, but
in triumph," replied Lyon Berners, cheerfully.
Sybil too caught the infection of his cheerful manner, whether that were
real or assumed, and she too brightened up.
The friends then discussed the details of the projected flight.
"In the first place," began Captain Pendleton, "you must both be so well
disguised as to seem the opposite of yourself in rank, age, and personal
appearance. You, Lyon, must shave off your auburn beard, and cut close
your auburn hair, and you must put on a gray wig and a gray beard--those
worn by your old Peter, in his character of Polonius at your mask ball,
will, with a little trimming, serve your purpose. Then you must wear a
pair of spectacles and a broad-brimmed hat and an old man's loose
fitting, shabby travelling suit. I can procure both the spectacles and
the clothes from the wardrobe of my deceased father. Mrs. Berners, too,
should cut her hair short, and wear a red wig and a plain dress. The wig
you wore as Harold the Saxon will suit very well, with a little
arrangement. Then I can procure the dress from my sister. You must
travel as a poor old farmer, and your wife must go as your red-headed
illiterate daughter. You are both excellent actors, and can sustain your
parts very well."