In the confusion, Henry seized Lady Emily, and shooting down Gabriel Jones, escaped through a secret passage into the grounds.  There he lay hidden for some days, and then, when the coast was clear, secured a passage in a smuggling ship for himself and Lady Emily, and her aunt, Lady Margaret.  Arrived in France, he placed the ladies in a convent at Dinan, and made his way to England again, under an assumed name as a commercial traveller for a French house, to learn the fate of his brother.

Arrived in London, he obtained some news of his brother from a goldsmith who had acted as the family banker for years past.  Through the assistance of Lady Eleanor, Frank Masterton had been set at liberty and had taken his departure in the company of that lady to Paris.  Thither, Henry determined to follow them.

Before setting out, he paid a business call at a merchant’s house, where he found a man of distinguished appearance, whom he discovered to be General Ireton.  Hearing that Henry was bound for France, Ireton asked him whether he would deliver a letter for him to General St. Maur.  It was a most important communication, he declared, insomuch as it was the payment of a debt to a man to whom he owed much.

Warned by a footstep on the stairs, Ireton requested Henry to retire into the adjoining room, as he had some business to transact.  Through the door, Henry heard the well-known voice of General Dixon.  He was complaining bitterly that Ireton had not carried out his promise, and handed him over the estates of Penford-bourne.

“We have no excuse for sequestrating the estates,” replied Ireton.

Walter Dixon was furious, declared that he had been made a tool of, and, threatening Ireton, announced his intention of going to France.  As soon as he had taken his departure, Henry was summoned from the other room, and being bidden to hold his tongue if he had heard anything, was informed by Ireton that he would visit him that night with the package he had requested him to deliver to General St. Maur.

Some hours later, when it was dark, Henry received his visitor; but the unexpected arrival of the goldsmith, who addressed Henry by his real name, disclosed his identity.  Finding, however, that he intended him no ill, Ireton questioned him closely as to what had brought him to London.

“To see whether I might not render some aid to my brother,” Henry replied, “after having placed the Lady Emily in safety.”

“She was never in danger,” replied Ireton quietly.  “I would take good care of that.  I will still trust you with my commission.  The time may come when you will thank me for so doing.”

With that he turned and left the room.

IV.—­The Mysterious Monk

Chance ordained it that Henry Masterton should cross the Channel on the same boat which was carrying General Dixon to France.  The latter, with what General Ireton had called “his blunt hypocrisy,” frankly related to Henry the motives that had influenced him in the part that he had played.