with me?" continued Furness,
appealing to Rushbrook.

"I will go another way; it's no use both going the same road."

"Very true," replied the pedagogue, who had his reasons for not wishing
the company of Rushbrook, and Furness then left the house.

Mr Furness found all his boys assembled in the school-room, very busily
employed thumbing their books; he ordered silence, and informed them
that in consequence of Joey being missing, he was going to assist his
father to look after him: and therefore they would have a holiday for
that day. He then ranged them all in a row, made them turn to the right
face, clap their hands simultaneously, and disperse.

Although Mr Furness had advised secrecy to the Rushbrooks, he did not
follow the advice he had given; indeed, his reason for not having wished
Rushbrook to be with him was, that he might have an opportunity of
communicating his secret through the village, which he did by calling at
every cottage, and informing the women who were left at home, that Joey
Rushbrook had disappeared last night, with his father's gun, and that he
was about to go in quest of him. Some nodded and smiled, others shook
their heads, some were not at all surprised at it, others thought that
things could not go on so for ever.

Mr Furness having collected all their various opinions, then set off to
the ale-house, to find Byres the pedlar. When he arrived, he found that
Byres had not come home that night, and where he was nobody knew, which
was more strange, as his box was up in his bed-chamber. Mr Furness
returned to the village intending to communicate this information to
Rushbrook, but on calling, he found that Rushbrook had gone out in
search of the boy. Furness then resolved to go up at once to the
keeper's lodge, and solve the mystery. He took the high road, and met
Rushbrook returning.

"Well, have you gained any tidings," inquired the pedagogue.

"None," replied Rushbrook.

"Then it's my opinion, my worthy friend, that we had better at once
proceed to the keeper's cottage and make inquiry; for, strange to say, I
have been to the ale-house, and my friend Byres is also missing."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Rushbrook, who had now completely recovered his
self-possession. "Be it so, then; let us go to the keeper's."

They soon arrived there, and found the keeper at home, for he had
returned to his dinner. Rushbrook, who had been cogitating how to
proceed, was the first to speak.

"You ha