y
made their way to the Heronry, under whose palings they stood at last to
debate in whispers on the next step.

Pan was for flight after they had been on into the town and bought some
bread and cheese; but the position in which they were brought out
Sydney's best qualities.

"No," he said, "we've done wrong, and I'll face it out."

"But I won't--I can't," whimpered Pan. "How do I know as father isn't
waiting just inside the gate with that there bit of rope?"

"You must, and you shall come back, Pan," said Sydney, decisively.
"It's of no use to kick against it. Am I to hit you again?"

"I d' know," whimpered Pan. "I'm the most miserable chap as ever was.
Every one's agen me. Even you knocks me about, and I didn't think it of
you, Master Syd--I didn't; I thought you would be my friend."

"So I am, Pan, only you don't know it. Come now, get up. Go in with
me, and let's walk straight in to the dining-room, and ask father to
forgive us."

"I would ha' done it at first," whimpered Pan, "but I can't now."

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm so 'orrid hungry."

"Well, so am I. Father will give us plenty to eat as soon as he knows.
Come along; it's only a scolding."

"No, Master Syd, I dursen't. You go and ask him to forgive you, and to
order father not to hit me. P'r'aps I might be able to come then."

"You are the most horrid coward I ever knew," cried Sydney, impatiently.
"Do you think I don't feel how terrible it is to go and tell father
I've done wrong? I'd give anything to be able to run right away."

"Come along, can't yer, Master Syd. Never mind being hungry; come on."

"No, Pan, I can't. Now then, don't try to sneak out of it. Come and
face them, like a man."

"But I arn't a man, Master Syd, and I can't stir now. Oh dear! oh dear!
what will father say?"

"That I've got you at last," roared a gruff voice. "Hi! I've got 'em--
here they are!"

CHAPTER EIGHT.

Barney, the old gardener, had been round the garden that evening, and
had paused thoughtfully close to the tree where he had had his adventure
the night before; and as he went over the various phases of his little
struggle and his fall, thinking out how he would have proceeded had he
got hold of that boy again, he fancied he heard whispering.

The fancy became certainty, and creeping inch by inch closer to the
palings, without making a rustle among the shrubs, he soon made himself
certain of who was on the other side.

Barney's face did