"I will give you the order, to the person to whom such communications are addressed, and it shall be couched in the same words as usual." Desmond placed a sheet of paper, pen, and ink before him.

He, dating it from the Treasury, wrote: To John Dawkins, Mariner, High Street, Rye.

Urgent.
On the receipt of this, you will at once convey the bearer, and three persons with him, and land them in some convenient spot in France.
He then added his signature.
"Now, gentlemen, what next ?" he said, looking up.
O'Neil looked at his companions, and then they spoke for a moment together.
"We are about to start at once, my lord," he said, "and it was our intention to have left you bound and gagged, until the morning, when the woman of the house would have assuredly found you and released you.

But, as you have acceded to our request at once, we will, if you give us your word of honour that you will raise no alarm, and say no word of this business until eight o'clock tomorrow morning, let you depart at once." "Thank you for your courtesy, gentlemen, and for your confidence in my honour.

I am, indeed, anxious to return home at once.