“Malkin Tower!” exclaimed the squire, in fresh surprise.  “What, have these robbers taken up their quarters there?  This accounts for all the strange sights said to have been seen there of late, and which I treated as mere fables.  But, ah! a terrible thought crosses me.  What have I done?  Mistress Nutter will be there to-night.  And I have sent her.  Death and destruction! she will fall into their hands.  I must go there at once.  I cannot take any assistance with me.  That would betray the poor lady.”

“If yo’n trust me, ey’n help yo through the difficulty,” replied Nance.

“Get up then quickly, lass, since it must be so,” rejoined Nicholas.

With this he moved forward, and giving her his hand, she was instantly seated behind him upon Robin, who seemed no way incommoded by his double burthen, but dashed down the further side of the causeway, in answer to a sharp application of the spur.  Passing her arms round the squire’s waist, Nance maintained her seat well; and in this way they rattled along, heedless of the increasing difficulties of the road, or the fast-gathering gloom.

The mile was quickly passed, and Nance whispered in the squire’s ear that they were approaching the Boulder Stones.  Presently they came to a narrow glen, half-filled with huge rocky fragments, detached from the toppling precipices on either side, and forming an admirable place of ambuscade.  One rock, larger than the rest, completely commanded the pass, and, as the squire advanced, a thundering voice from it called to him to stay; and the injunction being disregarded, the barrel of a gun was protruded from the bushes covering its brow, and a shot fired at him.  Though well aimed, the ball struck the ground beneath his horse’s feet, and Nicholas continued his way unmoved, while the faulty marksman jumped down the crag.  At the same time four other men started from their places of concealment behind the stones, and, levelling their calivers at the fugitives, fired.  The sharp discharges echoed along the gorge, and the shots rattled against the rocks, but none of them took effect, and Nicholas might have gone on without further hindrance; but, despite Nance’s remonstrances, who urged him to go on, he pulled up to await the coming of the person who had first challenged him.  Scarcely an instant elapsed before he was beside the squire, and presented a petronel at his head.  Notwithstanding the gloom, Nicholas recognised him.

“Ah! is it thou, accursed traitor?” cried Nicholas.  “I could scarcely believe in thy villainy, but now I am convinced.”

“The jade you have got behind you has told you who I am, I see,” replied Fogg.  “I will settle with her anon.  But this will save further explanations with you!”

And he discharged the petronel full at the squire.  But the ball rebounded, as if his doublet had been quilted.  It was in fact lined with gold.  On seeing the squire unhurt, the robber captain uttered an exclamation of rage and astonishment.