In this way the Captain would, if he were to return and follow them, be put on a wrong scent, and give up any chase as a waste of effort.
But Barbara's trick in hiding Rupert undid the plan, for the first person whom the Captain and his men met on leaving the Hall for the second time swore so positively to having seen the FOUR schoolboys that the Roundhead's suspicions were at once aroused, and, turning his horse's head, he led the way at all speed towards Portallan.
"Then there was a man there all the time," he cried bitterly to himself, "and he has escaped in that puppy's clothes! 'Sdeath, if I catch him now...!" He ground his teeth together in his rage, and dug the rowels of his spurs into the horse's side.

Without another word they rode at the gallop through the growing darkness.
The boys were riding together at a good swinging pace, the stranger, in Rupert's clothes, leading the way by a neck, Philip beside him, and the other two behind.

It was not a dark night, but a mist rolling inland from the sea--one of those white mists well known along the south coast, which predicate hot weather--enveloped them impenetrably except at very short range.
"Halt!" they heard the Captain cry, halfway down the hill.
"Ay, it is likely we shall halt for that," said the stranger, with a laugh.

"I'll show him," and, turning in his saddle, he discharged a pistol down the road.

"That's for our enemies," he remarked grimly, "and may it hit someone!" A few moments later came an answering shot, whistling past their heads ominously.
"Break for the nearest copse," replied the stranger, promptly, "for a council of war.