But, though force cannot succeed, we may be able to effect
your father's escape by other means, and it is for this purpose
that I am determined to stay, and I shall do so until all hope is
gone. Alone you could effect nothing; but I, knowing who are our
secret friends, may be able to use them to advantage.
"We will stay here tonight, but tomorrow we must change our
quarters, for the search will be a close one. During the day we
will go far up over the hills, but tomorrow night we will make for
Lancaster. I have warned friends there to expect us, and it is the
last place where they would think of searching for us."
"You will take me with you, too, father?" Harry exclaimed eagerly;
while Charlie expressed his gratitude to Mr. Jervoise, for thus
determining to risk his own life in the endeavour to effect the
escape of Sir Marmaduke.
"Yes, I intend to take you with me, Harry. They will pretend, of
course, that, in spite of our assertions of innocence, our flight
is a confession of guilt, and you may be sure that we shall be
condemned in our absence, and our estates declared confiscated, and
bestowed upon some of William's minions. There will be no place for
you here.
"My own plans are laid. As you know, your mother came from the
other side of the border, and a cousin of hers, with whom I am well
acquainted, has gone over to Sweden, and holds a commission in the
army that the young king is raising to withstand Russia and Saxony;
for both are thinking of taking goodly slices of his domains.
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