cher
cheerfully, "that's what I began by advising. But stick to the
title, Jack: you adorn it--indeed you do. And for my part," she
wound up, "I think you've done mighty well to-night, considering."

"I've let one villain escape, you mean, and t'other go scot free."

"And the nuisance of it is," said she with a broadening smile,
"I shan't be able to congratulate you in public."

"Well"--Mr. Rogers regained his cheerfulness as he eyed his
knuckles--"we've let a deal of villainy loose on the world: but I got
in once with the left, and that must be my consolation. What are we
to do with this boy?"

"Hide him."

"Easier said than done."

"Not a bit." Miss Belcher turned to me. "Have you any friends, boy,
who will be worrying if we keep you a few days?"

"None, ma'am," said I, and thereby in my haste did much injustice to
the excellent Mr. and Mrs. Trapp.

"Eh? You have the world before you? Then maybe you're luckier
than you think, my lad. What would you like to be? A sailor, now?
I can get you shipped across to Guernsey to-morrow, if you say the
word."

"That would do very well, ma'am: but if you ask me to choose--"

"I do."

"Then I'll choose to be a soldier," said I stoutly.

"H'm! You'll have to grow to it."

"I could start as a drummer, ma'am." The drum in Major Brooks's
summer-house had put that into my head.

"My father can manage it, I am sure!" cried Isabel. "And meanwhile
let him come back to the Cottage. No one will think of searching for
him there: and to-night, when I have spoken to my father--"

"You will speak to your father to-night?"

Isabel glanced at her bridegroom, who nodded. "To-night," said he
firmly. "We sail to-morrow."

Miss Belcher wagged her head at him. "I had my doubts of you, young
man. You've been a fool: but I've a notion you'll do, yet."

"Good-night, then!" Isabel went to her and held up her cheek to be
kissed.

"Eh? Not a bit of it! I'm coming with you. Don't stare at me now--
I've a word to say, and I think maybe 'twill help."

We left the Rector and Mr. Rogers to their task of overhauling the
house while they sat up on the chance of Hodgson's returning with
Whitmore or with news of him: and trooped up the lane and down across
the park to Minden Cottage.

"Take the child to bed," said Miss Belcher, as we reached the door:
and so to my room Isabel conducted me, the others waiting below.

She lit my candles and kissed me. "You won't forget