That the conscript had declared, that his pass had been stolen from him by a person with whom he had stopped at St Nicholas, and that there were orders for a strict search to be made through the town, as it was known that some English officers had escaped, and it was supposed that one of them had obtained the pass.

"Surely you're not English ?" inquired the woman, looking earnestly at O'Brien.
"Indeed, but I am, my dear," replied O'Brien: "and so is this lad with me: and the favour which your sister requires is, that you help us over the water, for which service there are one hundred louis ready to be paid upon delivery of us." "_Oh, mon Dieu! mais c'est impossible_." "Impossible!" replied O'Brien; "was that the answer I gave your sister in her trouble ?" "_Au moins c'est fort difficile_." "That's quite another concern; but with your husband a pilot, I should think a great part of the difficulty removed." "My husband! I've no power over him," replied the woman, putting the apron up to her eyes.
"But one hundred louis may have," replied O'Brien.
"There is truth in that," observed the woman, after a pause, "but what am I to do, if they come to search the house ?" "Send us out of it, until you can find an opportunity to send us to England.

I leave it all to you--your sister expects it from you." "And she shall not be disappointed, if God helps us," replied the woman, after a short pause: "but I fear you must leave this house and the town also to-night." "How are we to leave the town ?" "I will arrange that; be ready at four o'clock, for the gates are shut at dusk.

I must go now, for there is no time to be lost." "We are in a nice mess now, O'Brien," observed I, after the woman had quitted the room.
"Devil a bit, Peter; I feel no anxiety whatever, except at leaving such good quarters." We packed up all our effects, not forgetting our two blankets, and waited the return of the hostess.

In about an hour she entered the room.
"I have spoken to my husband's sister, who lives about two miles on the road to Middelburg.