time.

"Dr Grayson is writing, and Miss Grayson reading."

"Why, we might go now--easy."

"No," said Dexter. "If we did, it would be found out directly, and we
should be fetched back, and then, I dare say, they'd send me again to
the school."

"And yer don't want to go there again, do you!"

"No," said Dexter, with a shudder. "Don't forget the ball of string I
told you about?"

"No, I've got that," replied Bob sharply. "And p'r'aps that won't be
long enough. It's very deep in the sea. Now mind, you're here."

"Yes, I'll mind."

"If yer don't come, I won't never forgive you for making a fool of me."

"I won't do that," said Dexter; and then after a little more hesitation
as to something he particularly wanted to do, and which he saw no other
way of doing, he whispered--

"Bob!"

"Hullo!"

"Will you do something for me before you come!"

"Yes, if I can. But I say, don't you forget to bring a big bundle of
your clothes and things, and if you don't want 'em all, I can wear some
of 'em."

Dexter was silent.

"And as much money as you can; and, I say, the old un never give you a
watch, did he?"

"No."

"You wouldn't like to borrow his, would you!"

"No, of course not," said Dexter indignantly.

"Oh, I don't want you to, unless you like. Only watches is useful at
sea. Sailors find out where they are by their watches. I don't quite
know how, but we could soon find out. Whatcher want me to do!"

"I want you to take a little parcel to Sir James Danby's."

"I ain't going to carry no parcels," said Bob importantly.

"It's only a very little one, as big as your hand. You know the
letter-box in Sir James's big door!"

"I should just think I do," said Bob, with a hoarse laugh. "Me and two
more boys put a lighted cracker in last fift' o' November."

"I want you to go there last thing," said Dexter, as he could not help
wondering whether the cracker made a great deal of noise in the
letter-box; "and to drop the packet in just as if it was a letter. I
mean just before you come."

"But what for?"

"Because it must be taken there. I want it taken."

"O very well. Where is it?"

"Here," said Dexter, taking out his carefully tied and sealed packet.

"Chuck it across."

"Get up, then, and be ready to catch it."

"All right! Now then, shy away."

Dexter drew back from the river, and aiming carefully at where he could
see Bob's dim figure, he measured the distance with his eye, and thr