expect you so soon back. Are your mother and her charge in safety?

Tony. Very safe, sir, at my aunt Pedigree's. Hem. Mrs. Hard. [From behind.] Ah, death! I find there's danger.

Hard. Forty miles in three hours! sure that's too much, my youngster.

Tony. Stout horses and willing minds make short journeys, as they say. Hem.

Mrs. Hard. [From behind.] Sure he'll do the dear boy no harm!

Hard. But I heard a voice here; I should be glad to know from whence it came?

Tony. It was I, sir, talking to myself, sir. I was saying that forty miles in three hours was very good going. Hem. As to be sure it was. Hem. I have got a sort of cold by being out in the air. We'll go if you please. Hem.

in,

Hard. But if you talk'd to yourself, you did not answer yourself. I am certain I heard two voices, and am resolved--[Raising his Voice.]-to find the other out.

Mrs. Hard. [Running forward from behind.] O lud, he'll murder my poor boy, my darling. Here, good gentleman, whet your rage upon me. Take my money, my life, but spare that young gentleman, spare my child, if you have any mercy.

Hard. My wife, as I am a christian! From whence can she come, or what does she mean?

Mrs. Hard. [Kneeling.] Take compassion on us, good Mr. Highwayman. Take our money, our watches, all we have, but spare our lives. We will never bring you to justice, indeed we won't, good Mr. Highwayman.

Hard. I believe the woman's out of her senses. What, Dorothy, don't you know me?

Mrs. Hard. Mr. Hardcastle, as I'm alive! My fears blinded me. But who, my dear, could have expected