were left behind.

"Mr Marston might have said come," said Tom in a low sulky voice.

"They both think we've been at some mischief," said Dick sadly.

"Then don't let's go with them. I should have liked to go though."

"And so we will," cried Dick angrily. "We'll go and show them that
we're not afraid to face anybody. I wish people wouldn't be so
suspicious."

"So do I," cried Tom. "But I say, Dick, it does look suspicious when
you're found getting into anybody's house in the middle of the night
with a ladder."

"Well, I suppose it does," replied Dick thoughtfully.

"Why, my father would have shot at anybody he saw climbing in. I say,
are we going?"

"Yes, come along," cried Dick; and the two lads started off at a rapid
pace, following in the tracks of the squire and the engineer, whose
voices could be heard in a low murmur now some way ahead.

The night was glorious, and the stars were reflected in the face of the
mere, whose black smooth waters seemed to form an inverted curve to
complete the arch of spangled glory overhead. From far and near came
the many sounds peculiar to the wild fen, while every now and then there
was a solitary splash, or perhaps a loud flapping and beating of the
water following closely upon the whistling and whirring of wings.

The lads had an hour's walk before them, and if they wished to keep up
with those in front, an arduous and sharp walk, for it soon became
evident that they were hurrying on at a great rate.

"We shall have to run directly," said Dick, after they had been going on
for about twenty minutes. "Hist! what did Mr Marston say?"

"That he must have been mad to stop away from his lodgings to-night,"
whispered Tom, who had been a little in advance on the narrow path.
"Here, what's that?"

"Somebody on the mere," cried Dick excitedly. "Hi! ho!"

"Hi! ho!" came from out of the darkness where the splashing of water had
been heard, accompanied by the peculiar sliding sound made by drawing a
pole over the edge of a boat.

"That you, Dave?"

"Yes, Mester Dick. Hear a noise?"

"Yes. Did you?"

"Something like thunder, and it wakkened me. I think it weer a
fireball."

These words were shouted as the man forced the punt along rapidly, till
it was abreast of the rough road track which ran along by the edge of
the mere.

"Wheer are you going?" cried Dave as soon as he came close up.

"Down to the drain-works," said Tom.

"Think it fell theer?" asked D