Part 22 (2/2)

Certainly to get back to the shi+p as soon as possible, but that was not possible till , and he was miles away from the cove

What should he do? Two hours would be plenty for the work, and as he guessed it was not much past twelve noas he to pass all those weary hours? If he could find some barn or even a haystack he would not have cared, but it seemed to hiht in walking, and watching so that he did not encounter any of the s on his way back and so raise their suspicions

Better be off at once Perhaps, after all, he thought as by an inspiration, the lieutenant had altered his plans, and was sending men to look after and protect hio out of this door, and keep turning a little to the right till I feel the door at the top of the stairs”

Suppose any one should hear him, take him for a thief, and fire at hie had been locked by the s attacked the lad He would be a prisoner, and discovered by the in

He would soon put that to the proof, he told himself; and he was about to step cautiously back toward the door when another thought sent a shudder through hiot into the hall, or whatever place it was, he should hear that sigh again and the rustling sound?

He shrank back as he recalled how it had affected him

”Oh, what a coward I am!” he said softly; and he took a step forward, where very faintly, as if far distant, he heard the rustling sound again It cah, the door was pushed open, for the rustling ca

The door closed with a soft dull sound as Archy stood as if turned into stone, his hair again feeling as if moved by hands, and he would have spoken, but no words would come

At last, as he stood there in front of the , terrified toobreath, and a voice said in a hurried, frightened whisper,--

”Who's there? Is that you, Ram?”

Archy tried to speak but could not Before he could draw a breath of relief, feeling as he did that this was nothing of which he need feel such fear, the voice said again,--

”You are trying to frighten me I can see you plainly there by thedare you come in here like this, sir? Go back home with your horrida mistake,” said Archy softly

”Oh!”

There was a cry and a quick rustling toward the door

”Don't--don't cry out; I did not cohten you”

”Who are you?”

”I a off the coast You sawca sound which troubled the midshi+pman, and he said quickly,--

”Can you not believe htened me”

”Then, why are you here? How dare you break into our house Oh, I know! I know!”