Part 7 (1/2)
”I don't see what that has to do with et home,”
I replied
”Maybe not; but ant to knohere you were lying hid just before you took to running,” said the otherhid anywhere,” I answered ”I was going along fro his son Mark, as caught by the Squire's keepers, and accused of poaching, when being tired I sat down to rest and fell asleep”
”Whereabouts were you sleeping?” asked the sround,” I answered
”So I suppose,” said the round?”
”Not far from the old barn, to the best of my recollection; but it was too dark when I started to make out where I had been”
This answer seeator I was afraid that he would inquire everyon within the building
”Well, my lad,” he said, ”take care you don't shove your nose into places where you're not wanted If you're a friend of old Riddle's, I don't suppose you'll have any ill-feeling against the s run if you hadn't been in such a hurry to get home”
Thankful to escape so easily, I told the iven theate not far off, over which I climbed into the lane I then, as fast as my sprained ankle would let me, made the best of my way home I found that my family had been somewhat alarmed at my non-appearance My father, who always took matters coolly, acceptedplayed truant
”What business had you to go to trouble Sir Reginald about that young scapegrace Riddle?” she asked, in her usual stern manner ”He'll consider that you and your friend are alike He'll not be far wrong either You have lost all chance, if you ever had one, of interesting Sir Reginald in your favour Youa h you don't deserve it You're always giving trouble to Betsy in coular hours”
”Thank you,” I said, ”I'et soo to bed”
So thus Imy father of what I had heard, but ent to our rooave Ned an account of my adventures
”I would advise you, dick, not to interfere in the matter,” said Ned
”It's all very well for our father to preach against slers themselves don't mind it a bit; but were he to take any active measures they would very likely burn the house down, or play us some other trick which would not be pleasant”
Notwithstanding what Ned said, I deter that by so doing I should gain his favour
CHAPTER SIX
I revisit the baronet--My information and its worth--Am somewhat taken aback at ratitude--A night of adventure--The run--Night attack on Kidbrooke Farle on the beach--The luck of the ”Saucy Bess,” and ill-luck of Mark--I agle for freedom, and its result--A vault in the oldI found my father in his study before breakfast I told hi the plans for running a cargo shortly, and asked hiinald know
”You are in duty bound to do so,” he answered ”At the saave the information He'll certainly be pleased, and will be more inclined than before to assist you You had better set off directly breakfast is over, and I rite a note for you to deliver, which will be an excuse for your appearance at the Hall Do not say anything about the s that we fancy are known only to ourselves are apt to get abroad”
I followedbreakfast As soon as it was over I set out Aunt Deb saw ; but pretending not to hear her, I ran on I suspect I made her very irate I noted the people Iothers I encountered Ned Burden He looked hard at , Mr Burden,” with ”Good , Master dick,” and I passed on I looked back shortly afterwards for a mo aveto see Sir Reginald In a short time the man came back and asked me to follow him into the study
”Well, Master Richard Cheveley,” re me to sit down, ”I wonder you have the face to show yourself here after what has occurred”
”What have I done, sir?” I asked with astonishment