hearts, wondering whether the two
cries would alarm the nearest sentinel.

But they heard nothing, and as silently as possible stole in among the
trees, it being impossible to make any selection of route.

"How them owls do chill one, like, in a unked place like this! 'Member
that one as come out of the wood shed as we went in last winter? Always
scares me."

"I dare say it scares them more than it does us," whispered back Fred.
"Now don't speak."

"Right, sir."

Fred led on, moving more by instinct than sight, and seeming to feel
which was the way to the spot where they had left the injured man; but
it was a long and arduous task, and not till after he had gone astray
three times did he pause in perplexity.

"If I could get any idea of where the Hall lay, perhaps I could find
him," whispered Fred; "but we have turned about so, that I don't know
which way we are looking now."

"More don't I, sir; for aught I know we might be somewhere hundreds of
miles away. It's so plaguey dark."

"Look! Isn't that the reflection of the fire?"

"No, sir; there's nothing there. Ah, look there!"

A dull low sound fell upon their ears, and simultaneously there was a
flash of light in quite a different direction to that in which they had
been straining their eyes.

"What's that, sir?"

"Some part of the Hall fallen in."

"And made the fire flash up just as it does when you're burning rubbish.
That's right, sir."

"Yes; and I can find it now," whispered Fred.

The struggle through the undergrowth was resumed, every step having to
be taken with the greatest caution; and at last, after making endless
diversions to avoid tree-trunks and masses of tangled growth that they
could not force their way through, Fred stopped short.

"What is it, sir?"

"This is the place."

"No, sir, I don't think it is."

"Yes; I can tell by the touch. I am close up to the fallen tree.
There, I can feel the touchwood. Be quiet. Hist! Nat! Nat!"

There was no reply, and after a pause, Fred called again, as loudly as
he dared.

"No, sir; I thought it wasn't," said Samson, softly. "It's further up."

"Be silent, man," said Fred, impatiently. "I am sure we are right. It
may be a little to the left or a little to the right, but its close
here."

He called again and again softly, but without result.

"Let me try, Master Fred, as you are so sure."

Fred gave his consent, whispering to his companion to be careful.

"Nobody w