“The captain of the robbers, Fogg or Demdike, escaped—­did he not?” said Richard.

“Ay, in the confusion occasioned by the blowing up of the Tower he managed to get away,” replied Nicholas, “and we were unable to follow him, as our attentions had to be bestowed upon Mistress Nutter.  This was the more unlucky, as through his instrumentality Jem and his mother Elizabeth were liberated from the dungeon in which they were placed in Whalley Abbey, prior to their removal to Lancaster Castle, and none of them have been heard of since.”

“And I hope will never be heard of again,” cried Richard.  “But is Mistress Nutter’s retreat secure, think you?—­May it not be discovered by some of Nowell’s emissaries?”

“I trust not,” replied Nicholas; “but her voluntary surrender is more to be apprehended, for when I last saw her, on the night before starting for Myerscough, she told me she was determined to give herself up for trial; and her motives could scarce be combated, for she declares that, unless she submits herself to the justice of man, and expiates her offences, she cannot be saved.  She now seems as resolute in good as she was heretofore resolute in evil.”

“If she perishes thus, her self-sacrifice, for thus it becomes, will be Alizon’s death-blow,” cried Richard.

“So I told her,” replied Nicholas—­“but she continued inflexible.  ’I am born to be the cause of misery to others, and most to those I love most,’ she said; ’but I cannot fly from justice.  There is no escape for me.’”

“She is right,” cried Richard; “there is no escape but the grave, whither we are all three hurrying.  A terrible fatality attaches to us.”

“Nay, say not so, Dick,” rejoined Nicholas; “you are young, and, though this shock may be severe, yet when it is passed, you will be recompensed, I hope, by many years of happiness.”

“I am not to be deceived,” said Richard.  “Look me in the face, and say honestly if you think me long-lived.  You cannot do it.  I have been smitten by a mortal illness, and am wasting gradually away.  I am dying—­I feel it—­know it; but though it may abridge my brief term of life, I will purchase present health and spirits at any cost, and save Alizon.  Ah!” he exclaimed, putting his hand to his heart, with a fearful expression of anguish.  “What is the matter?” cried the two gentlemen, greatly alarmed, and springing towards him.

But the young man could not reply.  Another and another agonising spasm shook his frame, and cold damps broke out upon his pallid brow, showing the intensity of his suffering.  Nicholas and Sherborne regarded each other anxiously, as if doubtful how to act.

“Shall I summon assistance?” said the latter in a low tone.  But, softly as the words were uttered, they reached the ears of Richard.  Rousing himself by a great effort, he said—­

“On no account—­the fit is over.  I am glad it has seized me now, for I shall not be liable to a recurrence of it throughout the day.  Lead me to the window.  The air will presently revive me.”