They were ready at once, having settled with their landlady before starting out in the evening, telling her that they had heard of a job and should start early in the morning.  Mike and Desmond fetched the empty chair, and they then started, Godolphin walking with the other officers in front.

“This is the most surprising adventure that ever happened to me,” Lord Godolphin said; “and it is a pity that officers who possess the wit to plan an escape from Newgate, and to ensure a speedy flight from the country by carrying me off, are not in the service of Her Majesty.”

“We may yet be in the British service some day, my lord,” O’Sullivan laughed; “but I may tell you that my friend, and myself, disclaim any credit in contriving the matter of which you spoke, that being solely the work of our young comrade, who is at present the youngest ensign in our regiment.”

“Then he must be a shrewd fellow, indeed,” Godolphin said, “likely to do service in any position to which he may attain.”

They walked sharply.  Several times rough men came and peered at them, but Godolphin was wrapped in a cloak, and the appearance of those with him showed that hard knocks, rather than booty, would be the result of interfering with them.  On reaching Lord Godolphin’s house they placed the sedan chair on the steps.

“Goodnight to you, gentlemen, and good fortune!” Lord Godolphin said.  “The lesson has not been lost, and I shall take good care, in future, to have a strong escort.”

They then crossed Westminster Bridge, and made rapidly for the spot where the cart was waiting for them.

“You are an hour after your time,” the man said.  “I had begun to think that something had gone wrong with you.”

“That is not the case,” O’Neil said; “but we have certainly been detained longer than we anticipated.”

“Where are we going to?”

“To Rye.”

“That will suit me very well,” the man said.  “I have friends along that road, and shall have no trouble about horses.”

They started at once, at a rattling pace, the animals, though but sorry-looking creatures, being speedy and accustomed to long journeys.  It was evident, from the man’s manner, that he believed his passengers were cracksmen who had just successfully carried out an enterprise of importance.  He expressed surprise that they had brought no luggage with them.

They did not care to undeceive him.  Mike had brought with him a bottle of good brandy, and a drink of this soon removed the vexation the man had felt at being kept waiting for them.

Twice during the journey they changed horses, each time at small wayside inns, where some password, given by the driver, at once roused the landlord into activity.  But a few minutes were spent in the changes, and the fifty miles to Rye were accomplished in seven hours—­a very unusual rate of speed along the badly kept roads of the period.  When the car drew up in the High Street of Rye, the four occupants were scarce able to stand, so bruised and shaken were they by their rapid passage over the rough road.