'

'No!' cried Alan, startled into interest at once.

'Yes, I did. You know there is no reason for anybody to go there. It's
never used, and the shrubs are only trimmed once a year, because Auntie
doesn't like people about there often.'

'You didn't see who it was?'

'No; I only saw their backs. They were stooping, as if to hide
themselves.'

'Did they wear dark, long cloaks?' asked Estelle, suddenly, turning
round from the window.

'Yes, with dark caps.'

'Then I have just seen them go under the tower, with a bag and a
basket.'

Alan looked from one to the other in silence. Should he speak? Did he
dare to trust them? It seemed time to act, but what was he to do without
more knowledge than he possessed at present? Was it not possible to gain
it--now, even? The men were below somewhere, doing something. They had
probably taken advantage of the rain, and the consequent absence of the
family and gardeners from the grounds. No one would dream of being out
on such a day, and the prospect from the windows was too uninviting to
fear many watchers. Alan felt sure this was the way the men had
reasoned; and it was clearly his policy to keep them in ignorance of
their nearness to the party of children, and yet to manage somehow to
watch their movements. If only the girls could help him! He thought he
could depend on Marjorie. But Estelle was quite different--nervous and
imaginative. Alan knew this, but he could not ask her to leave him and
Marjorie to track these men; nor could he propose to her to come with
them--the danger of betrayal was too great. Of course, she might keep
quiet; but then, again, she might not.

'I tell you what,' he said at length, looking at the two girls, who were
watching him anxiously, 'you two had better stay here, and I will go
down and have a look round. If I don't come back soon--say in five or
ten minutes--don't wait for me, but go down and amuse yourselves. I
will be back as soon as I can.'

'Let me go with you,' said Marjorie, earnestly. 'Two are better than
one, and you know you can trust me.'

He had expected this, but before he could reply, Estelle broke in with,
'And can't you trust me, too, Alan?'

'The fact is,' he answered, somewhat in doubt how to act, 'I don't know
what we shall see; or what will happen if we are seen. It is most
important we should not betray ourselves; and in order to manage this,
we must keep very, very quiet. Whatever happens, there must be no noise,
n