"But it would not necessarily be a matter of persuasion." "But what else could it be--children of thirteen or fourteen!" cried Miss Lambart.
"I assure you that it might quite easily have been force," said Sir Maurice seriously.

"My nephew and niece are encamped on Deeping Knoll.
It is honeycombed with dry sand-stone caves for the most part communicating with one another.

I can conceive of nothing more likely than that the idea of being brigands occurred to one or other of them; and they proceeded to kidnap the princess to hold her for ransom.

They might lure her to some distance from the Grange before they had recourse to force." "It sounds incredible--children," said Miss Lambart.
"Well, we shall see," said Sir Maurice cheerfully.

Then he added in a more doubtful tone; "If only we can take them by surprise, which won't be so easy as it sounds." Miss Lambart feared that they were on a wild goose chase.