Cruel As The Grave

I have set my life upon a cast.

And I will stand the hazard of the die.--SHAKESPEARE.

It was yet so early in the morning that they drove ten miles out to a

small village on the road before they thought of breakfast. There Mr.

Berners reminded the officer in charge that Sybil had not yet broken her

fast. Whereupon Purley drew up before the one little tavern of the

place, alighted, and assisted his charge to alight, and then keeping

fast hold of her arm, led her into the house, and ordered breakfast.

While the meal was being got ready he kept his party of four well

together in the sitting-room where they waited. And as soon as breakfast

was over, they all reëntered the wagon and resumed their journey. They

travelled twenty miles before stopping to dine at a lonely roadside

tavern, where again Purley watched his charge with such vigilance that

she had no opportunity to speak privately either to her husband or their

friend. Still she hoped this opportunity would be afforded when they

should stop for the night. After an hour's rest they went on again,

travelling with moderate haste all the afternoon. They made fifteen more

miles before sunset, and then, having driven forty-five miles that day,

and finding their horses very tired, they determined to put up for the

night at a small hamlet, whose comfortable little hotel promised rest

and refreshment.

Still Purley kept close to his charge. They all had supper in a private

sitting-room. And when that meal was over and the hour for retirement

arrived, Purley himself accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Berners to their

bedroom to see that it was secure. It was a front chamber, on the upper

floor, with two front windows overlooking the village street, and but

one door, which opened upon the passage.

"That is all safe," said Purley, casting a glance around. "So I may

leave you two alone here together, where no doubt, you are glad enough

to be. But I'm sorry to say I must turn the key on you; not that I have

any right to lock you up, sir, without your consent; but of course you

will consent to that, for the sake of staying with your wife."

"Of course I will; and thank you for the privilege," answered Mr.

Berners.

"All right then. Good-night to you both," said Purley, closing and

locking the door, and withdrawing the key.

And then he took a farther precaution for the security of his charge, by

ordering a mattress to be brought and laid down before that chamber

door. And there he and his companion stretched themselves to rest like a

pair of watch dogs.

As soon as Sybil found herself alone with her husband, she beckoned him

to that end of the room which was farthest from the door, and when he

was close beside her she whispered in the lowest tone: "Did you observe anything peculiar in the manner of that younger

bailiff?"