ep by the track he had chosen that the boy was soon
high above the cottages, hurrying along by a ridge of stones which led
up to what looked like a young tor, so situated that it sheltered the
two cottage gardens, and the enclosed field or two where the neighbour's
cow was pastured, from the north and east wind, and also acted as a lew
for Mrs Champernowne's bees, which could reach their straw hive homes
comfortably without being blown out by the wanton breezes which
travelled across the moors.

Rodd was pretty well out of breath when he reached the little tor, and
so he drew in a fresh supply as he dropped upon his knees and crawled
round the last stone to his proposed look-out, feeling certain he would
be able to see the sergeant's bright scarlet coat with its white belts,
as he marched straight away for the prison.

He did see him, but not so far off as he had anticipated, and the sight
took his breath completely away again, for as he crept round he became
conscious of a peculiar scent that was not wild thyme but tobacco, and
before he realised what it was, he came plump face to face with their
late visitor, who was seated upon the soft close turf with his back
against a stone, basking in the sunshine, and evidently enjoying a rest.

"Here we are again, then, sir!" he cried, in his sharp military way. "I
thought I'd just sit down here for a bit on the chance that you might
come up and like to have a word or two to say to me."

He looked very hard at Rodd as he spoke, and the boy felt his face burn,
while the next moment there was a sensation as if the cool wind were
fanning his hot cheeks.

"Come out to speak to me, didn't you, sir?" said the sergeant.

Rodd was silent for a few moments, for his throat felt dry, while he
passed his tongue over his lips to moisten them.

"No," he said, at last, with an effort. "I came up here to see if you
had gone, and watch you back to the prison."

The sergeant laughed softly, and thrust one finger into the bowl of his
pipe, before sending out a fresh cloud of smoke.

"Ah," he said, "I am not surprised. Well, here we are. Do you want to
say anything to me?"

Rodd opened and shut his lips again, but no words came till he made an
effort, and then said, with his utterance sounding very dry--

"You want to speak to me?"

"Right, sir. Yes, I do. You remember when I came upon you up yonder by
that pool?"

Rodd nodded and frowned.

"Well, I suppose you noticed that