Ralph walked past the group to the threshold of the inn.

"Loosen his neckcloth!--here, take my brandy," said a passenger.

"Came from the North, seemingly, sir. Looks weak from want and a long
journey."

"From the North?" asked the coachman; "I'll give him a seat in the
coach to-night and take him home."

Ralph stepped back and looked over some of the people.

A man was lying on the ground, his head in a woman's lap.

It was Simeon Stagg.




CHAPTER XXIX.

ROBBIE'S QUEST BEGUN.


When Robbie Anderson left Wythburn, his principal and immediate
purpose was to overtake Simeon Stagg. It was of less consequence that
he should trace and discover Ralph Ray. Clearly it had been Ralph's
object on leaving home to keep out of reach of the authorities who
were in pursuit of him. But there was no saying what course a man such
as he might take in order to insure the safety of the people who were