To be sure I can, sir. Here, you, constable, stop there with my sentry
at the porch, and if you see a Frenchman bolt, you shout."

As he spoke, the man backed Gusset into the hall, for he was following
into the drawing-room, making him open his thick lips in fish like
fashion once again as if to speak; but a prod in the ribs given by the
sergeant's forefinger forced obedience, and he went out unwillingly into
the porch.

The sergeant returned to Waller, who was standing in the middle of the
room with his hands in his pockets, whistling an old country ditty
softly, while the two soldiers made a pretence of searching the room,
and then looked for orders from their officer.

"You haven't looked up the chimney, my lads," cried Waller, laughing.
"Oh, you needn't stare; there's plenty of room in it for a horse to get
up," and he laughingly stepped forward into the wide chimney-corner.
"Look here, officer, you don't often see a place like this."

"My word, no, sir!" said the sergeant, stooping down and following
Waller into the great wide place. "They used to build in the old days,
and make room for the smoke. Why, the ivy's hanging right down through
the top."

"Yes," said Waller: "plenty of ivy here. Now you'd like to see the
library?"

This was looked into, and then a slight search was made of what Waller
called the schoolroom, and a little, old-fashioned boudoir.

"That's all here," said the boy, "except the servant's places."

"What about the cellar, sir?" said the sergeant.

"Oh, we'll go into that through the outer hall," and, Waller, leading
the way, the searchers passed through the various offices, and, on
lights being provided and a big key being fetched from the squire's
study table, the big, crypt-like, vaulted cellars were searched from end
to end. Lastly, Waller led the way upstairs to the gallery, where the
oaken polished floor echoed to the soldiers' heavy tread.

"Where does that staircase lead, sir?" said the sergeant, as his task
drew near its end.

"Attics in the roof," said Waller. "Up you go."

"Well, sir, I am getting rather tired of this job," said the man,
hesitating.

"Oh, but you have got it to do. Finish it off," said Waller carelessly;
and he made way for the soldiers to pass up, and stood below swinging
himself to and fro, balancing himself toe and heel.

"Come on, my lads," said the sergeant. "Forward, and be smart. I am
thinking that crust of bread and cheese must be re