Part 10 (1/2)

”Well, Mr Cheveley, we have succeeded at last in giving a blow to the ss for soot off, we captured so theinald,” said my father; ”and I ventured to call on you to explain that my son Richard has rendered considerable service to the cause It was through hiht was obtained, and he also discovered one of the s-places, 'Gri the revenue-oods”

Sir Reginald slad to hear this,” he observed; ”for to say the truth, I have had strong doubts as to your son's connexion with the ser Riddle, who though too cunning to be caught is known to aid and abet the Mark Riddle, who is both sler and poacher, made his escape from my lock-up room only last week Had it not been for my respect for you, I could not have passed the matter over, and I am happy now to be able to set the services you say he has rendered against his for Riddle was taken just as he landed froet rid of him, as he will be either committed to prison for two years or sent off to sea to serve his Majesty for seven years”

I was very sorry when I heard this, but of course did not express inald My father looked rather uncoinald always awed hie to proceed

”I hope, Sir Reginald, that ood conduct will induce you to interest yourself in his favour, and that you will forward his views by exerting yourself to obtain the appointet hilers, who are aware that he has been instrue themselves on his head I dare not let hied to bring an armed attendant for his protection”

”I have told you, Mr Cheveley, that I consider his late conduct is a set-off against his unpardonable proceeding I will, however, remember his wish; and, should an opportunity occur, will forward his views I , for isterial and parliamentary duties, and you must excuse me”

The baronet prepared to bow us out of the room He shook hands with my father, who took the hint and backed towards the door, and gavea smile to irradiate his features

We found old Tho at the hall door with his blunderbuss on his shoulder My father walked on with hurried steps so a word At last he said--

”To what did Sir Reginald allude when he talked of your connexion with young Riddle?”

I told him how Mark had been seized and locked up and how I had unintentionally assisted him to escape

”I believe what you say, Richard; but you can't be surprised at the baronet being annoyed, and I'm afraid from his tone that we ot about two-thirds of the way ho towards us, one of whonised as Burden I had not yet told my father that I believed him to be one of the men who had shut me up in the old mill He started as he saw me, and then scanned me narrowly, as if uncertain whether it could really be h I knew that old Thomas and his blunderbuss were close behind us, I felt very uncoht be inclined to act Mustering courage at last, I looked Burden in the face My father nodded to him and the other men, as he was accustomed to do to his parishi+oners They hesitated for a moment, and then passed on I looked back and saw the old Thoed sturdily after us without paying them any attention

”I wonder as the ot to some distance

I then told him it was my belief that he was one of my captors

”We can't prove it, even if he were,” said my father ”He deserves punishment, but the law is expensive and uncertain, and I should prefer letting him alone”

As far as I could tell the matter was likely to rest here I lost a jacket and waistcoat, but was not otherwise the worse for my adventure

The next day, however, a letter came by the post addressed to my father, at the top of which was a death's head and cross-bones, very rudely drawn, and beneath it the words:--

”Infor ot off t'other day rave, and in it he'll lie before long; so he had better say his prayers He won't have long to say them This comes from one who knows him John Grimes”

My father turned pale when he read the letter Aunt Deb insisted on seeing it, and then my mother wished to read the contents She almost fainted

”This is terrible,” she exclailers will not have the barbarity to injure a mere boy like dick”

”I'ht not to be neglected I have long been conte a visit to my second cousin, Godfrey butterfield, who is now a flourishi+ng , and bringing with me one of my nephews I shall not wait for an answer, but will set off immediately; for I'm certain I shall be welcome”

When Aunt Deb said this I saw a smile on the countenance of my elder sisters and brothers, who had not been soletter as the rest of the family

”I'll post the letter at once, and ill set off this evening What do you say, John?”