arreled
pistols Mr. Penfold had given him, and placed them in his belt. Then
he went downstairs and put the handcuffs into the pocket of his great
coat. He then went to the bar, where the landlord was kindling a fire.

"I want a bottle of whisky, landlord, a loaf of bread, and a big lump
of cheese." As he was waiting for these, Lieutenant Desmond joined
him.

"That's right, Conway, there is nothing like laying in a stock of
creature comforts when you have the chance. Look here, landlord, get
an empty bottle and put half the whisky in, and then fill them both up
with water. Cut that loaf of bread in halves; in that way we can get
it in our pockets. That's right; now do the same with the cheese. You
and I may not be together, Conway, so it's just as well to divide the
commissariat; to say nothing of the convenience of carriage. Now, have
you got the handcuffs? That's right, we will be off at once."

The landlord went to the door with them and looked after them,
somewhat surprised at seeing no soldiers about.

"What can they be up to by themselves at this hour of the morning?" he
said to himself. "Well, they are two nice young fellows anyway, and I
hope that they are not going to get into mischief. Now I will just
make up the fire, and then sit down for an hour's snooze in my
arm-chair. The captain said he was to be called at six. I suppose they
are going out still-hunting somewhere. Well, I wish them luck; for
when the boys can get their whisky for next to nothing they don't care
about coming here, and small blame to them, for I shouldn't myself."

Not a soul was astir in the village as the two young officers passed
along. They turned off at the lane leading to the sea, and after
proceeding a quarter of a mile came to a point where the roadway
ended, the path beyond this being merely a track. Here there was a
gate across the lane, and a wall running right and left.

"We can't find a better spot than this, Conway," Lieutenant Desmond
said. "If we sit down one on each side against the wall, a hundred men
might pass along without noticing us."

"Which side shall we sit, Desmond?"

"We will sit this side," the lieutenant replied. "If we were the other
side a man might possibly wrench himself way from our grasp, and might
outrun us, but on this side of the gate he couldn't do so; for even if
he did break away he would have to run back toward the village, the
gate would stop his going the other way."

Accordingly the