the little cripple who had now withdrawn to the darkest corner
of the room and crouched there in abject terror. The two men made a
hasty meal and then sat by the table talking in tones so low that Patsy
heard scarcely a word of what was said. Anyway, he cared nothing for
their plans now; he had spoiled everything for them. But how was he to
tell David, how was he to tell David?

By and by, a third man joined them and there was more whispering with
heads close together. At last, the three arose and made preparations for
going out. They moved towards the door and were astonished to find
themselves confronted by a small, crippled figure, that stood swaying on
his crutches, directly in their way. A bright red spot burned on either
cheek, the eyes were brilliant with fever, and the child was panting for
breath. But he said very quietly, his eyes fixed steadily on his
brother's face:

"You mustn't go out to-night, David."

The men gasped and looked at one another in amazement.

"You mustn't go out to-night, David," the child repeated. "You mustn't
none of you go to the house on the hill to-night."

"We mustn't go out, mustn't we," exclaimed one of the men roughly.
"Who's to stop us going, I'd like to know? Stand aside, kid, before harm
comes to you."

"Who's to stop you? I am. I have stopped you."

A laugh of derision greeted this statement.

"Yes," Patsy repeated; "I've stopped you. I peached on you; I warned 'em
you was comin'."

David's face was terrible to see.

"What's that you're saying, Patsy? You what?"

"I warned 'em this afternoon. I went to the house on the hill and told
'em you was comin'. You mustn't go, David, you mustn't go. The police'll
be there waitin' for you, 'cos I told 'em you was comin'. I didn't want
you to be a thief, David; I done it for your sake. Oh, David, David!"

David's face was livid and his clenched fist was raised to strike, but
Patsy and his crutches lay in a little huddled heap at David's feet.

When the child opened his eyes again, the men were gone and he and his
brother were alone. He looked into the face bending above him and gave a
sigh of relief. All the anger was gone, only anxious solicitude rested
there. Patsy tried to speak, but his voice was so weak and low that
David had difficulty in understanding what he said. He leaned over to
catch the faintly whispered words:

"You ain't mad at me now, are you, Davy? I'm so glad. I'd hate to go
away thinkin' you was mad a