“I will go down,” Rupert said, “and put the saddles on quietly.  The stable opens into the street behind.  There is a flight of stairs at the end of the long passage here, which leads down into a passage below, at the end of which is a door into the stable yard.  I have just been examining it.  I should recommend Adele to put on her things, and to be in readiness, and then to remain in her room.  If you keep a watch here, you will see everyone coming down the street, and the moment you see an officer approaching, if you will lock the door outside and take the key with you, then call Adele, and come down the back stairs with her into the yard, I will have the horses in readiness.  There is only one man in the stable.  A crown piece will make him shut his eyes as we ride out, and they will be five minutes at the door before they find that we have gone.”

The marquis at once agreed to the plan, and Rupert went down into the stable yard, and began to resaddle the horses.

“What, off again?” the ostler said.

“Yes,” Rupert answered.  “Between you and I, my master has just seen a creditor to whom he owes a heavy bill, and he wants to slip away quietly.  Here is a crown for yourself, to keep your tongue between your teeth.

“Now lend me a hand with these saddles, and help bring them out quickly when I give the word.”

The horses resaddled and turned in their stables ready to be brought out without a moment’s delay, Rupert took his place at the entrance, and watched the door leading from the hotel.  In ten minutes it opened, and the marquis, followed by Adele, came out.

“Quick with that horse,” Rupert said to the ostler; and seeing to the other, they were in the yard as soon as the marquis came up.

“An officer and eight men,” he whispered to Rupert as he leapt into the saddle, while Rupert lifted Adele on to the pillion.

“Mounted?”

“No.”

“Then we have a good half-hour’s start.

“Which is the way to the west gate?”

“Straight on, till you reach the wall; follow that to the right, it will bring you to the gate.”

Rupert vaulted into his saddle, and the party rode out into the street; and then briskly, but without any appearance of extraordinary haste, until they reached the gate.

The guardian of the gate was sitting on a low block of wood at the door of the guardroom.  There was, Rupert saw, no soldier about.  Indeed, the place was quiet, for the evening was falling, and but few people cared to be about in those times after nightfall.

An idea flashed across Rupert’s mind, and he rode up to the marquis: 

“Please lead my horse,” he said.  “Wait for me a hundred yards on.  I will be with you in three minutes.”

Without waiting for an answer, he leapt from his horse, threw the reins to the marquis, and ran back to the gate, which was but thirty yards back.

“A word with you, good man,” he said, going straight into the guardroom.