by securing thin narrow
boards planed very accurately to half-a-dozen iron hoops by means of
screws and nuts.

Then came a day when Uncle Richard found that he must go to town again
to get sundry fittings from an optician, and Tom was left the task of
grinding three small pieces of plate-glass together, so as to produce
one that was an accurate plane or flat.

It was understood that Uncle Richard would not be back for three days,
and after seeing him off, Tom felt important in being left in full
charge, as he was in the lower part of the mill polishing away when the
door was darkened.

"How are you getting on, sir?" said David, as he stood there smiling.

"Pretty well; but this is a long job."

"What are you doing, sir?"

"Polishing these glasses together so as to get one of them perfectly
flat."

"Tchah! that's easy enough. What d'yer want 'em so flat for?"

"So as to make a reflector that will send back a ray of light quite
exact--a perfect mirror."

"That's a looking-glass, arn't it, sir?"

"Yes."

"I wish you'd make one, sir, as would work o' nights, and show us when
Pete Warboys comes arter my pippins. That'd bang all yer
tallow-scoops."

"Impossible, David."

"Yes, sir, s'posed so when I said it. But I say, Master Tom."

"Yes."

"That chap's sure to know as your uncle's gone to London for two or
three days."

"Yes; you can't move here without its being known, David," said Tom,
polishing away, and making his fingers dirty.

"Then, don't you see, sir?"

"No; what?"

"Pete'll be coming to-night, as sure as there's meat in eggs."

"Think so?" said Tom, who felt a peculiar thrill run through him.

"I'm sure on it, sir. There is a deal o' fruit left to pick yet, and
you and me can do that little job better than Pete Warboys."

"Let's go down and watch then."

"Will you, sir?"

"Yes, David, I'll come. But don't go to sleep this time."

"Nay, I won't trust you," said the gardener, laughing softly. "You'll
get hitting at me again instead of at Pete. I arn't forgetted that
swipe you give me that night."

"Well, you gave it back to me with interest," said Tom.

"Ay, that's so, sir; I did. But it wouldn't do for master to come and
find all our late apples gone."

"What time shall we begin then?"

"Not a minute later than six, sir."

And punctually to that hour Tom stole down the garden and found David,
who began to chuckle softly--

"Got yer stick, Master Tom?"

"Yes; got