CHAPTER XV.

WE posted five-and-thirty miles, then stopped for a couple of hours to rest, and wait for a night coach running northward.

On getting into this vehicle we were fortunate enough to find the fourth inside place not occupied.  Mrs. Baggs showed her sense of the freedom from restraint thus obtained by tying a huge red comforter round her head like a turban, and immediately falling fast asleep.  This gave Alicia and me full liberty to talk as we pleased.  Our conversation was for the most part of that particular kind which is not of the smallest importance to any third person in the whole world.  One portion of it, however, was an exception to this general rule.  It had a very positive influence on my fortunes, and it is, therefore, I hope, of sufficient importance to bear being communicated to the reader.

We had changed horses for the fourth time, had seated ourselves comfortably in our places, and had heard Mrs. Baggs resume the kindred occupations of sleeping and snoring, when Alicia whispered to me: 

“I must have no secrets, now, from you—­must I, Frank?”

“You must have anything you like, do anything you like, and say anything you like.  You must never ask leave—­but only grant it!”

“Shall you always tell me that, Frank?”

I did not answer in words, but the conversation suffered a momentary interruption.  Of what nature, susceptible people will easily imagine.  As for the hard-hearted I don’t write for them.

“My secret need not alarm you,” Alicia went on, in tones that began to sound rather sadly; “it is only about a tiny pasteboard box that I can carry in the bosom of my dress.  But it has got three diamonds in it, Frank, and one beautiful ruby.  Did you ever give me credit for having so much that was valuable about me?—­shall I give it you to keep for me?”

I remembered directly Old File’s story of Mrs. Dulcifer’s elopement, and of the jewels she had taken with her.  It was easy to guess, after what I had heard, that the poor woman had secretly preserved some of her little property for the benefit of her child.

“I have no present need of money, darling,” I answered; “keep the box in its present enviable position.”  I stopped there, saying nothing of the thought that was really uppermost in my mind.  If any unforeseen accident placed me within the grip of the law, I should not now have the double trial to endure of leaving my wife for a prison, and leaving her helpless.

Morning dawned and found us still awake.  The sun rose, Mrs. Baggs left off snoring, and we arrived at the last stage before the coach stopped.

I got out to see about some tea for my traveling companions, and looked up at the outside passengers.  One of them seated in the dickey looked down at me.  He was a countryman in a smock-frock, with a green patch over one of his eyes.  Something in the expression of his uncovered eye made me pause—­reflect—­turn away uneasily—­and then look again at him furtively.  A sudden shudder ran through me from top to toe; my heart sank; and my head began to feel giddy.  The countryman in the dickey was no other than the Bow Street runner in disguise.