"I don't know. I think there is. Speak softly. I fancy there are men
lying in the churchyard."

"I be a-thinking so, too, Squire. Bone'm was a growling just now like
the old 'un." Bone'm was the name of the bull-dog as to which Gilmore
had been solicitous as he looked over the gate. "What is't t'ey're up
to? Not bugglary?"

"Our friend's apricots, perhaps. But I'll just move round to the
front. Do you and Bone'm keep a look-out here."

"Never fear, Squire; never fear. Me and Bone'm together is a'most too
much for 'em, bugglars and all." Then he led Mr. Gilmore through the
farmyard, and out on to the road, Bone'm growling a low growl as he
passed away.

The Squire hurried along the high road, past the church, and in at
the Vicarage front gate. Knowing the place well, he could have made
his way round into the garden; but he thought it better to go to
the front door. There was no light to be seen from the windows; but
almost all the rooms of the house looked out into the garden at the
back. He knocked sharply, and in a minute or two the door was opened
by the parson in person.

"Frank," said the Squire.

"Halloo! is that you? What's up now?"

"Men who ought to be in bed. I came across two men hanging about your
gate in the churchyard, and I'm not sure there wasn't a third."

"They're up to nothing. They often sit and smoke there."

"These fellows were up to something. The man I saw plainest was a
stranger, and just the sort of man who won't do your parishioners any
good to be among them. The other was Sam Brattle."

"Whew--w--w," said the parson.

"He has gone utterly to the dogs," said the Squire.

"He's on the road, Harry; but nobody has gone while he's still going.
I had some words with him in his father's presence last week, and
he followed me afterwards, and told me he'd see it out with me. I
wouldn't tell you, because I didn't want to set you more against
them."

"I wish they were out of the place,--the whole lot of them."

"I don't know that they'd do better elsewhere than here. I suppose
Mr. Sam is going to keep his word with me."

"Only for the look of that other fellow, I shouldn't think they meant
anything serious," said Gilmore.

"I don't suppose they do, but I'll be on the look-out."

"Shall I stay with you, Frank?"

"Oh, no; I've a life-preserver, and I'll take a round of the gardens.
You come with me, and you can pass home that way. The chances
are they'll mizzle away to bed, as t