the other, grimly, taking
the lantern and advancing.

"It was all I could do to lie motionless, breathing heavily, as the
light fell full on my face.

"`Ah! found him!' was the exclamation, as both rushed towards me.

"I heard the cocking of a pistol close beside me, and was conscious of a
rude plucking at my arm.

"`Come, get up there! What do you do here? Get up, do you hear?'

"I had one hope left, and it was a desperate one.

"I roused myself slowly, and with many feints, from my mock slumber, and
rubbed my eyes and yawned, and stared first at one, then the other.

"`Get up,' again cried the men, still pulling my arm roughly, `and say
what you're doing here.'

"`Doing here?' I drawled as unconcernedly as I could, stretching myself
at the same time, `That's a pretty question to ask me. What were _you_
doing not to be here at eight o'clock, I'd like to know?'

"The men let go my arms, and looked at me in bewilderment.

"`Why,' said one, `are you--'

"`There,' said I, `we don't mention names in our trade. You'll learn
that when you grow older, and you'll learn to be punctual too,' I added,
testily.

"The men looked half abashed.

"`We were here at eight,' they said.

"`No, you were not. I was here at eight to the minute, and I had time
to fall asleep, as you see, before you came. But never mind that. You
know what business is on foot, I suppose?'

"`Yes, I had it all from--'

"`Hush! no names, you dolt; what did I tell you before?'

"The men were perfectly sheepish now, and I began to breathe again. It
was well I had been described in the letter as a `queer dog,' for it is
an easy part to act, even to save one's own life. Besides, this would
account sufficiently well for my unbusinesslike attire.

"My great fear was lest the real person referred to in the letter should
arrive on the scene before I had quitted it. I therefore ordered an
immediate departure.

"`We've lost an hour already with your dilatoriness,' I growled; `don't
let us lose any more. As it is, it is a chance if we reach Culverton
before morning. Come, lead out my horse, and bring what food you have
with you, for I'm starving.'

"Before five minutes had passed we were safe out of the cottage and in
the high-road--I, mounted on my faithful and partly refreshed horse,
eating ravenously of the scraps of bread and meat my companions had
left, while they trudged along in the snow one on either side.

"In this manner we