ground like a Red Indian on the war-trail, and followed by his
companions. If they reached the knowes unobserved they might hope to
get off in safety, for those little hillocks intercepted the view from
Trullyabister, preventing any one there from seeing across the hill
which the Lunda boys had to cross.

But when they reached the knowes Mr. Neeven suddenly appeared from
behind them, saying sternly, "What is this? What! Tom Holtum, who
calls himself a gentleman!"

They were beautifully caught, and rose from their reptile position
shamefaced and discomfited. Tom, whose audacity frequently stood them
in better stead than Harry's self-possession, was the first to face the
very awkward situation.

"We didn't mean any harm, sir," he said. "We only came to take Fred
Garson's pet sealkie."

"Indeed! and where may Fred Garson's pet sealkie be?"

"She was in the haunted room--goodness knows where she may be by this
time," was the very cool answer of Master Tom.

"Are you aware, young gentleman, that breaking into a house is a
burglarious offence, for which you are liable to imprisonment with hard
labour during a term of years?"

That was a terrible speech; but a sudden break in the speaker's voice,
and a mirthful look which he could not repress, were noted by Harry,
who took them as hopeful signs; so, plucking up courage, he replied--

"You know what is fair and right as well as we do, sir; and I put it to
you--were we doing a bad thing in trying to recover our friend's
property in a quiet way? He might have sued Mr. Adiesen in the law
courts, and made no end of a row."

"Always supposing, my lad," Mr. Neeven interrupted, "that the seal
could be proved to be his."

"I can prove it easily," Harry answered confidently. "She answered to
the old call Fred used; and besides that, Isabel made a sketch of her.
Every mark on her skin is in the picture."

"And more," said Tom; "the sealkie was caught on Fred's property, where
no person had business to be without _his_ leave."

"That, too, is a point open to question. But what _I_ have to do with
is this disgraceful burglary. I believe it is admitted that you had
less business in Trullyabister than Mr. Adiesen had in Havnholme."

There was no denying that truth, and the boys hung their heads.

"Follow me," said the ogre. "First you shall show _me_ if the animal
recognises your call, and after that I'll tell you what I mean to do
with you."

The whole party ret