l I could not get to it.

I tried, but unless I had wanted to draw people's attention to the fact
that I had something there of great interest, I could not go.

Even at leaving time it was as bad, and I found myself in the position
that I must either tell one of my uncles what I had done, or leave the
trap to take its chance.

I chose the latter plan, and calling myself weak coward, went home,
arguing to myself that no one would go in the spot where I had placed
the trap, but some miscreant, and that it would serve him right.

To my utter astonishment, directly after tea Uncle Dick turned to me.

"Cob," he said; "we have a special letter to send to Canonbury to your
father, and a more particular one to bring back in answer, so we have
decided that you shall take it up. You can have three or four days'
holiday, and it will be a pleasant change. Your mother and father will
be delighted to see you, and, of course, you will be glad to see them."

"But when should I have to go?" I said.

"To-night by the last train. Quarter to eleven--You'll get to London
about three in the morning. They expect one of us, so you will find
them up."

"But--"

"Don't you want to go?" said Uncle Jack severely.

"Yes," I said; "but--"

"But me no buts, as the man said in the old play. There, get ready,
boy, and come back to us as soon as you can. Don't make the worst of
our troubles here, Cob."

"No, no," said Uncle Dick, "because we are getting on famously as soon
as we can manage the men."

"And that we are going to do," said Uncle Bob. "I say I wish I were
coming with you."

"Do, then," I cried.

"Get out, you young tempter! No," said Uncle Bob. "Go and take your
pleasure, and have pity upon the three poor fellows who are toiling
here."

I was obliged to go, of course, but I must tell them about the trap
first.

Tell _them_! No, I could not tell Uncle Dick or Uncle Jack. I was
afraid that they would be angry with me, so I resolved to speak to Uncle
Bob before I went--to take him fully into my confidence, and ask him to
move the trap and put it safely away.

It is so easy to make plans--so hard to carry them out.

All through that evening I could not once get a chance to speak to Uncle
Bob alone; and time went so fast that we were on our way to the station,
and still I had not spoken. There was only the chance left--on the
platform.

"Don't look so solid about it, Cob," said Uncle Jack. "They'll be
del