me
sharply and quickly:

"Is there no place near by where we can remain in hiding for a time?"

During an instant I failed to remember anything whatsoever concerning
this shop of Master Bemis's, although it was familiar to me, owing to my
having visited it a dozen times or more. Then I suddenly recalled to
mind that just around the corner, in the rear, was an old shed sometimes
used for the stabling of horses, which had frequently been half-filled
with rubbish of such sort as empty cases, lumber or straw.

This much I explained to Pierre in the fewest words possible, and a look
of relief came over little Frenchie's face as he went directly up to
Saul, laying one hand on my cousin's shoulder, and with the other
clutching the Tory sneak by the coat-collar.

Mayhap not more than thirty seconds had passed from the time my cousin
announced his intention of paying off the score we held against Horry
Sims, until Pierre said in a low, sharp tone to Saul, and conveying much
of reproof:

"You have forgotten that by giving way to anger you not only endanger
yourself, but Fitz and me, to say nothing of Uncle 'Rasmus. Now pull
yourself up with a sharp turn; check that ill temper of yours if you
would keep yourself at liberty--mayhap if you would hold the breath of
life in your body."

As he spoke it seemed to me that Horry Sims had a dim understanding of
what was about to come upon him, for he lunged quickly here and there
like some trapped animal, and I fancied he was about to raise his voice
in a cry for help, when I sprang forward and clapped my hand over his
mouth.

"What are you about now?" Saul asked angrily. "What right have you to
interfere when I count on dealing with this Tory villain even as he
deserves?"

"I have every right," and now Pierre spoke in a sharper tone than I had
ever before heard him use. "Even though there be no other reason, I
shall protect myself, and it would seem, if you keep on at this pace,
Saul Ogden, that Fitz and I must consider you equal enemy with this
Tory. We are undone from this moment, and can count surely on being
thrust into the guard-house as malcontents and rebels, unless you find
strength of will enough in that hulking body of yours to behave in a
decent fashion."

[Illustration: "I SPRANG FORWARD!"]

Nothing in the way of argument could have moved Saul so quickly as did
reproof from the little French lad, who until this moment he had most
like considered a child as compar