Dickson had no fear of pursuit, for he calculated that Dobson and his friends, even if they had got out, would be busy looking for the truants in the vicinity of the House and would presently be engaged with the old Tower.

But he realized, too, that speed on his errand was vital, for at any moment the Unknown might arrive from the sea.
So he kept up a good pace, half-running, half-striding, till they had passed the railway, and he found himself gasping with a stitch in his side, and compelled to rest in the lee of what had once been a sheepfold.

Saskia amazed him.

She moved over the rough heather like a deer, and it was her hand that helped him across the deeper hags.
Before such youth and vigour he felt clumsy and old.

She stood looking down at him as he recovered his breath, cool, unruffled, alert as Diana.