than any
he had tasted since he left Bolsover.

This done, to his great satisfaction they adjourned once more to the
library, where, while Mr Rimbolt took a brief nap, he regaled himself
with the luxury of a prowl among the bookshelves, by the light of the
dawning day. So absorbed was he in this occupation that he did not hear
the sound of the dog-cart at the front door, or heed Mr Rimbolt's first
summons to start.

"You're fond of books, surely," said that gentleman, as the two got up
into the trap and drove off, with Appleby perched behind.

"I love them," said Jeffreys, in the same tone of sincerity which had
attracted the York bookseller.

"You're a reader, then?"

"I would be if I had the chance," said Jeffreys.

"You are thinking of my library," said Mr Rimbolt; "but it doesn't
follow, you know, that having a house full of books makes a reader. A
man may often get more good out of one tattered volume than out of an
entire Russia-bound library."

"I can quite believe that," said Jeffreys.

"Probably you know what a favourite book is?" said Mr Rimbolt rather
curiously.

Jeffreys replied by producing his well-worn copy of Homer, and it would
be hard to say which of these two foolish persons evinced the most
enthusiasm in discovering that they both alike had a friend in the old
Greek bard. At any rate the discovery levelled at once the social
differences which divided them; and in the discussion which ensued, I
blush to say they forgot, for the time being, all about Percy, and the
shed on the mountain-side, and the three gentlemen there to whom the
genial Julius was doing the honours.

The appearance of the inspector and three constables at Rodnet Bridge
brought the two unpractical excursionists on Mount Olympus abruptly back
to level ground. The business was soon explained. The police, of
course, knew all about the "parties"--when do they not? They had been
following them up for days, had had their suspicions of that mountain
shed for weeks, and so on. They couldn't exactly say they had known all
about the attempt to kidnap last night; but they knew all about it now,
for Appleby had let it out, and the "active and intelligent" in
consequence had nothing to learn. Half an hour brought them to the
mountain-side. Mr Rimbolt and Jeffreys dismounted, leaving Appleby in
charge of the trap, while they, followed in single file by the police,
ascended the narrow track towards the shed. Half-way up, Jef