or two, and the old 'un an't over stout.
There's only one man in the house besides him, and he ain't much worth
speakin' of; a groom, not very big, sleeps in the lower part o' the
house. Old Stuart himself sleeps in a wing, a good bit off from the
servants. In fact, there's nothing easier than to get into the house,
and there's no end of silver plate. Now, what say you to start by the
nine o'clock train to-night? We'll get there by eleven, and have supper
before goin' to work. You see, I think it's always well to feed before
goin' at this sort o' thing. It don't pay on an empty stomach. Shall
we go?"

Kenneth's heart beat fast as he listened for the reply.

"Wall, I doan't much loik it," said one of the roughs, in a coarse
Yorkshire dialect; "but I'm hard oop for tin, so I says Yes."

"Agreed," said the other rough, who was evidently not a man of many
words.

For some time Kenneth sat listening to the plans of the burglars, and
considering how he should best frustrate their designs. He at length
made up his mind to return the parcel to his aunt, say that unexpected
and pressing business called him home, and start by the same train with
the burglars for Wreckumoft. His intentions, however, were interfered
with by the abrupt entrance of Dollins, who was drunk, and who, on being
told that a friend wanted to see him within, came forward to Kenneth,
and asked, "Wot it wos 'e wanted?"

Kenneth explained that he had been sent by a lady to deliver a parcel,
which he presented, and, having fulfilled his mission, was about to
return when the man caught him by the sleeve--

"Wot, are you Mister Stuart? Jess Gaff wrote me a letter a day or two
ago, tellin' me you and yer aunt, Miss Peppy, as they calls her, wos
a-comin' here, and would send me a parcel."

"Never mind, my good fellow, who I am," said Kenneth sharply; "I've
delivered the parcel, so now I'll bid ye good-night."

"It's just him!" said one of the burglars in a hoarse whisper, as
Kenneth reached the door. The latter could not avoid turning round at
this.

"Yes," he cried sternly; "and I'll spoil your game for you to-night."

"Will you?" shouted the gentlemanly house-breaker, as Kenneth sprang
into the street, closely followed by the three men.

Kenneth regretted deeply that he had so hastily uttered the threat, for
it showed that he knew all, and set the men upon their guard.

He looked over his shoulder, and observed that they had stopped as if