Part 22 (1/2)

”That's right, sir,” said Bunny. ”I brought you some things as will make you look like a fisher-lad when I have done with you. Can you slip them on in the dark?”

”Oh, yes, of course he can,” cried Waller. ”I will help him.”

”The sooner the better, then, sir,” whispered the man, and, busying himself with the knots in a great cotton handkerchief, he soon shook out a big, broad, canvas petticoat, such as the fishers use, sewed right up the middle so as to give it the semblance of a clumsy pair of trousers.

G.o.dfrey winced a little as he handled the stiff garment; but it was for liberty, and he soon had the canvas b.u.t.toned on.

”You had better take off that jacket, sir. I can't see it, but I can feel as it don't look a bit like a fisher-boy's things. That's your sort! Now then, Master Waller, pull that there jersey over his head.

That's the way. There, now, he feels like a regular sailor-lad. Here's a sou'-wester, too. It's rather an old un, but none the worse for that.

There you are. Now then, I have got a bit of a pot here. You hold your hands, and I'll fish out a dob of it with my knife. Then you give it a good rub round with your hands so as to go all over them, and then you can gorm them well over your face. Don't be afraid of it, sir.

It'll make you look every bit a sailor, and won't wash off in a month.”

G.o.dfrey drew in his breath with a hiss.

”Why, what is it, Bunny?” said Waller.

”Real good pitch, sir, same as they pays over the bottoms of their boats.”

”Oh, but surely that isn't necessary,” cried Waller angrily.

”He's right,” said G.o.dfrey, as he began to rub the sticky brown produce of the fir well over his hands and face. ”It's the best disguise I could a.s.sume.”

”Hist!” said Waller. ”Didn't I hear something?”

Bunny turned to the window, looked out cautiously, and drew in his head again.

”They've come,” he whispered. ”Now sir, can't you get us down to the back door, so that we can slip away at once?”

”No,” said Waller excitedly. ”We should have to cross the hall, and they'd be there.”

”I'm all right,” said Bunny. ”I can slip down easier than I got up.

What about this here young gentleman? He won't find it so easy with that there canvas on.”

”No,” cried Waller. ”He couldn't get down. I don't believe I could.

What in the world are we to do?”

”Ar'n't got a bit of rope, I suppose, sir?” whispered Bunny.

”Yes, of course. I'd forgotten.”

”Strong un?”

”The new one I got for the fis.h.i.+ng-net,” said Waller.

”That'll do it. Now then, let me look out while you get it. You make it fast to the big window-bar while I just try and see what they are doing. I want to make sure that they all go in and leave the way clear for us to slide down. Once we can get to the woods we shall be all right.”

”Make sure,” whispered Waller, ”that they don't leave a sentry by the porch.”