astray by them."

"You, or somebody else, left them some tools--a file and a small saw--
with which they managed to cut away a bar in the strong room and effect
their escape. Here are the instruments, which they must have dropped as
they were getting off. Do you recognise them?"

As Sir Reginald was speaking I recollected giving the knife and file and
saw to Mark, that he might amuse himself by cutting out some blocks.
When I saw them I at once acknowledged them as mine, telling the baronet
my object in giving them to Mark.

"It was thoughtless, to say the least of it, and a very suspicious
circumstance, young gentleman," remarked Sir Reginald.

"Have they not been retaken?" I inquired, anxious to know what had
become of my friend Mark.

"No, there is but little chance of that," he answered, in a tone of
vexation. "Now, let me know what you have come about. Your father
gives no reason for your visit."

Without claiming any merit, I at once gave a clear account of all I had
heard on the previous evening. Sir Reginald appeared much interested,
and his manner became more friendly than at first.

"I am ready to believe that you had no intention to assist young Riddle
to escape," he said at last, after taking notes of all I told him. "Now
return home, and keep your own counsel."

I confess that I was secretly very glad Mark had made his escape. I
hoped that he would return to his father, and keep in hiding till the
affair had blown over, and also give up poaching for the future. I
wanted as soon as possible to go and see the old sailor, and learn what
had become of Mark, but I knew that my father would be expecting me; and
accordingly, after leaving the Hall, went directly home. My father
complimented me more than I deserved on the way I had conducted the
matter. I didn't tell him just then of my having unintentionally
assisted Mark and the other poachers to make their escape.

"If the smugglers and their cargo are taken, you will deservedly have
the credit of the affair, and Sir Reginald will, I hope, feel bound to
assist you as you desire," he observed.

I had to wait till the next day to go over and see old Roger. I almost
expected to find that Mark had returned home, and was concealed in the
house; but none of his family knew anything about him, except that he
had escaped from Sir Reginald's strong room. They all thanked me warmly
for the assistance I had given him, and of which they had heard by