board, and
without consideration slipped the key into her pocket. Then
gathering up the little garment she went into another room.

Bideabout did not miss the key, or remember that he had not locked
up the cupboard, for three days. The bottle with drench he had
retained in the stable.

When the old horse recovered, or showed signs of convalescence,
then Bideabout took the bottle, went to his room, and thrust his
hand into his pocket for the key that he might open the closet and
replace the drench.

Then, for the first time, did he discover his loss. He made no
great disturbance about it when he found out that the key was gone,
as he took for granted that it had slipped from his pocket in the
stable, or on his way through the yard to it. In fact, he discovered
that there was a hole in his pocket, through which it might easily
have worked its way.

As he was unable to find any other key that would fit the lock, he
set to work to file an odd key down and adapt it to his purpose.
Living as did the squatters, away from a town, or even a large
village, they had learned to be independent of tradesmen, and to
do most things for themselves.

Nor did Mehetabel discover that she was in possession of the key
till after her husband had made another that would fit. She had
entirely forgotten having pocketed the original key. Indeed she
never was conscious that she had done it. It was only when she
saw him unlock the closet to put away the bottle of horse medicine
that she asked herself what had been done with the key. Then she
hastily put her hand into her pocket and found it.

As Jonas had another, she did not think it necessary for her to
produce the original and call down thereby on herself a torrent
of abuse.

She retained it, and thus access to the poison was possible to
those two individuals under one roof.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A THREAT.

One Sunday, the first snow had fallen in large flakes, and as
there had been no wind it had covered all things pretty evenly--it
had laden the trees, many of which had not as yet shed their leaves.
Mehetabel had not gone to church because of this snow; and Jonas
had been detained at home for the same reason, though not from
church. If he had gone anywhere it would have been to look for
holly trees full of berries which he might cut for the Christmas
sale of evergreens.

Towards noon the sun suddenly broke out and revealed a world of
marvellous beauty. Every bush and tree