“This must be seen to at once,” the general said; for having been present at the scene when Harry produced Cromwell’s letter, he knew how deadly was the hatred of the earl for the young colonel.  “Without there!” he cried.  A soldier entered.  “Send the lieutenant of the guard here at once.”  The soldier disappeared, and the general sat down at his table and hastily wrote an order.  “Lieutenant,” he said, when the officer entered, “give this letter to Captain Farquharson, and tell him to take his twenty men, and to go on the instant down to the port.  There he is to take boat and row out to the ship called the Royalist.  He is to arrest the captain and crew, and if he see not there Colonel Furness, let him search the ship from top to bottom.  If he find no signs of him, let him bring the captain and six of his men ashore at once.”

As soon as he heard the order given Mike, saluting the general, hurried from the tent, and ran at full speed to the camp of Harry’s regiment.  There he related to Donald Leslie and William Long the suspicious circumstances which had occurred, and the steps which the general had ordered to be taken.

“This is bad news, indeed,” Captain Leslie exclaimed; “and I fear that the colonel has fallen into the hands of Argyll’s minions.  If it be so Farquharson is scarce likely to find the Royalist at anchor when he arrives at the port.  Come, Long, let us be stirring.  I will hand over the command of the regiment to Grahame till we return.  While I am speaking to him pick me out ten trusty men.”

He hurried off, and in five minutes was hastening toward the port, with William Long, Mike, and ten men.  Such was the speed they made that they reached the quay just at the same time with Captain Farquharson and his men.

Mike gave a cry of despair.  The Royalist had disappeared.  He ran up to a sailor who was still sitting on an upturned basket, smoking as he had left him before.

“Where is the Royalist?” he exclaimed.

“Halloo! young fellow, are you back again?  I thought you had gone off with a bee in your bonnet, so suddenly and quickly did you run.  The Royalist? ay, she hoisted her sails two minutes after her boat reached her.  I was watching her closely, for I wondered whether she had aught to do with your sudden flight.  Methinks that something strange has happened on board, for I saw what seemed to be a scuffle, and certainly the sun shone on the gleam of swords.  Then, too, instead of heaving her anchor, she slipped the cable, and a Scotch captain must be in a hurry indeed when he does that.”

“Where is she now?” Mike asked.

“Over there, full four miles away, making across the Forth for the northern point of land.”

“Is she a fast ship?” Captain Leslie, who had come up, inquired.

“She has the name of being the fastest sailer in these parts.”

“There is nothing here would catch her?” Donald Leslie asked.  “Would a rowboat have a chance of overtaking her?”