ed hoarsely almost in his ear.

For a few moments Sam was paralysed. Then he recovered himself, and
stepping back he raised the screw-driver, as if it had been a short
Roman sword.

"You hit me," said the shadowy figure, "and I'll let you have this
hedgestake right on the head."

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" said Sam, in a subdued voice.

"And who are you, and what are you a-doin' of here?" was the retort.
"You give me any of your mouth, and I'll go and ring the old man's
bell."

Sam had met his match, and stood thinking what course he should pursue
when his interrupter continued--

"I know: you're come because the old man arn't at home. Think I don't
know yer?"

"Hush! hold your tongue!" said Sam, and for the moment he felt disposed
to run for it; but there was the fact that, dark as it was, he had been
recognised, and if he had any doubt it was dispelled by his companion
saying with a faint laugh--

"Got any more o' them pears?"

"No," said Sam shortly; and recovering himself a little, "What do you
want?"

"To see what you're a-going to do," was the reply.

"But you've no business here, sir," said Sam haughtily.

"More have you. I arn't a fool. I see you trying to break open the
winders with that thing."

"It's a lie; you didn't."

"Oh yes, I did. I know; I can see in the dark. What are you after?"

Sam was silent, and the disposition was on him strongly now to strike
the fellow down.

He dismissed the thought again, feeling how useless it would be to make
him an enemy, and the other course now offered itself to him.

"You don't want to know what I'm after," he said, with a faint laugh.
"It's only for a bit of fun."

"Not it. People don't break in at windows for fun. You give me
something, or I'll go and tell."

Sam's heart leaped with satisfaction at this. Money, then, would buy
the young scoundrel off, and he hastily took out a coin, and held it out
so as to silence his enemy; but at the same time he felt that there was
nothing to be done now but get back to town with his mission
unfulfilled.

To his great delight the coin was snatched and pocketed, but he did not
feel so well satisfied the next moment.

"That's on'y a shillin'. Give's another."

A second was held out and taken.

"Now I wants another," said Pete, and upon this being given, he demanded
a fourth, and then a fifth.

Pete was satisfied now, and he said with a low chuckle--

"If any o' these is bad