ied off to the Hall, where they have been
locked up ever since. Father only heard of it yesterday evening after
you went. He at once set off to try and see Sir Reginald, and he only
got back late last night, or rather this morning, so he has only just
now got up. He said that the Squire was very savage with him, and
threatened to send Mark off to sea. It was with great difficulty that
father got leave to see Mark, who told him how he had saved the keeper's
life, but the Squire would not believe it, and said that he had been
caught poaching, and must take the consequences."

"I'm very sorry to hear this," I said to Mary; "but don't despair of
your brother getting off. I'll ask my father to plead for him; and if
he won't do that, I'll go myself and tell the Squire what a capital
fellow Mark is. It would be a shame to send him to sea against his
will, although he might be ready enough to go of his own accord."

After I had talked the matter over with Mary for some time, I went into
the cottage, where I found Mrs Riddle looking very downcast, and soon
afterwards old Roger made his appearance. He repeated what Mary had
said, and added that he intended to engage the services of Lawyer Roe to
defend Mark, though the expenses would be greater than he could well
bear. I was afraid, however, that Lawyer Roe could do nothing for Mark,
taken as he had been with a gun in his hands, in Sir Reginald's
preserves, should the baronet resolve to prosecute. I again offered to
go off at once to see Sir Reginald. I however much doubted that my
father would undertake the mission, especially as Aunt Deb would
endeavour to persuade him to have nothing to do with the matter. Mrs
Riddle and Mary pressed me to take some breakfast, which they had just
prepared, and as by this time I was very hungry, I gladly accepted their
invitation. As it was important to get early to the Hall, directly
breakfast was over I started, resolved to employ every means I could to
get Mark liberated. It didn't occur to me that probably Sir Reginald
would pay no attention to my request, or that he would consider my
interference as a piece of impertinence. I made up my mind to speak
boldly and forcibly, and felt very confident that I should gain my
object. Old Roger accompanied me part of the way, but he thought it was
better not to be seen near the Hall, lest it should be supposed I had
been influenced by him. I was but a little fellow, it must be
rememb