compensed for any extra fatigue by the kindly
welcome he always received on his return from the dame and her young
daughter. As the winter grew on, also, various guests arrived at the
farm for the purpose, so they stated, of purchasing cattle or horses;
but though some of them mentioned the subject in his presence, none of
the cattle, at all events, were ever driven away. Jack concluded,
therefore, that they would be sent in the spring to the purchasers. Now
and then a valuable horse was, however, purchased; and sometimes fresh
animals were brought and left there while the owners took their
departure by some means towards the sea-shore, Jack supposed for the
purpose of embarking and going abroad; while others proceeded towards
London. Jack could not, however, help occasionally having suspicions
with regard to the proceedings of the various persons who came to the
farm. He himself was not trusted with their secrets, if secrets they
had; nor did he wish to be so; but most of them were evidently far above
the class of cattle-dealers. Some, indeed, from their conversation and
manners, were undoubtedly men of rank and position in society. As the
winter drew on, the number increased; and from the remarks which they
occasionally let drop, Jack felt convinced that some undertaking of
importance was about to be carried out. He one day hinted the subject
to Elizabeth. She shook her head.

"Don't speak of it," she answered; "I don't like to think about the
matter. I know, as you do, that these men who come here are not
cattle-dealers, but I cannot believe that my father would undertake any
thing wrong or dangerous. I should like to learn what it all means, but
I dare not speak to him on the subject, for though he is very kind, he
does not choose to be questioned about any of his proceedings, and
neither my mother nor I ever venture to do so."

It did not occur to Jack that he might be made a tool of in any way, but
yet he suspected that he might possibly be drawn into some undertaking
against his better judgment. It therefore occurred to him that his
wisest course would be to wish good-bye to Master Pearson and his
family, and either to return to Nottingham and risk the possibility of a
trial, or to throw himself upon the kindness of his future
brother-in-law, Giles Dainsforth of Norwich. "He is so calm and
right-thinking, that he will advise me what to do," he thought to
himself.

But then, again, when he found hi