aded constable. He's very suspicious, and wanted to search the
roof. But I managed to put a stop to that, for if they had got up here
you must have been found."

"Yes," said Godfrey, as, after following his companion back through the
ivy, he seated himself, away from the window, in the den, where Waller
related to him the history of the raising of the ladder.

"That man believes I am here, and will come again. It is quite time you
got me away. It was he who came prowling round the house last night,
and not your gardener--a big, heavy man, not like Hanson at all."

"Yes, you are right," said Waller; "and he must have seen you in the
lane and gone and sought out the soldiers at once."

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

PLANS OF ESCAPE.

The days glided on and there was no news of the Squire's coming back,
and no fresh alarm or suggestion of the possibility of the soldiers
returning to make another search, so Waller grew more and more satisfied
in the belief that, however much Gusset might suspect, it was merely
suspicion, and there was no more to fear.

"I think at any time now we might begin to think of making a start,"
said Waller one morning.

"Yes, yes," cried Godfrey eagerly. "Well, you needn't look so pleased
because you are going," cried Waller, half angrily, but dropping his
voice directly lest it should be heard and let the servants know he had
somebody up there to whom he was talking.

"Oh, don't speak to me like that," cried Godfrey earnestly. "I don't
want to go but I am afraid it would be bad for both of us, and lead to
trouble if I stayed."

"Well, I suppose so," said Waller. "As I say, I don't want you to go,
but it will be better for both of us when you are on your way back to
France."

The boy stopped speaking and stood looking earnestly in his companion's
eyes, while Godfrey shook his head and then held out his hand.

Waller was about to take it, feeling very miserable the while, for he
was growing very much attached to his nervous, excitable companion, when
both started violently, for some one had come up in perfect silence and
given a sharp tap or two at the door.

In the full conviction that whoever it was must have heard the talking,
Waller caught up the hammer near at hand, then threw it down noisily
upon his work-bench, and walked quickly to the door.

"What is it?" he cried.

The answer came in Bella's voice:

"You are wanted, Master Waller."

"Who wants me?" said Waller, changin