that no
one was in sight, and, as he disappeared in the deep hole, he pounced
upon the basket, and then went softly and quickly down to where the
loose tile stones lay.

A rapid examination satisfied him that they had not been moved, and he
went softly up again, basket in hand, stood still and rolled his eyes,
but saw no sign of the basket's owner, and then, thrusting his arm
through the handle, he went steadily back to the farm, where he thrust
his head in at the door, stared at Farmer Shackle, who was innocently
mending a net, and backed out and went into the rough stable.

Shackle followed him, net in one hand, wooden netting-needle in the
other.

"Hullo!" he said.

Jemmy held out the basket.

"Well, I see brambrys and masheroons. What of 'em?"

"Little missus's basket. Fun' it."

"Take it home. No--I'll send Ramillies. Ladyship don't like to see
you."

"Fun' it in number one!"

"What!"

"See her going along there with that dog. She must ha' smelled him
out."

"Place been opened?"

"No."

Farmer Shackle scratched his nose on both sides with the netting-needle;
then he poked his red worsted cap a little on one side with the same
implement, and scratched the top of his head, and carefully arranged the
red cap again.

"Mayn't have seen or heard anything, lad."

"Must, or wouldn't have left the basket."

"Right. Have big Tom Dunley, Badstock and two more, and be yonder at
dark. Ramillies know?"

"Not yet."

"Don't tell him. He's waiting yonder for you. Here he comes. Go on
just as usual, and don't tell him nothing. I'll meet you soon as it's
dark."

"Pistols?"

"No. Sticks."

"Jemmy there, father? Ah, there you are! Come on. I've been waiting
such a time."

Ram looked sharply from one to the other, and knew there was something
particular on the way, but he said nothing.

"Get it out of Jemmy," he said to himself.

"I'm ready, lad; I'm ready."

"Look sharp, boy," said the farmer.

"Yes, father," said Ram. "I'll go and get the basket."

"Ay, do, boy. And look here--never mind more to-day; but take double
'lowance to-morrow, so as not to go every day."

"Very well, father. Look sharp, Jemmy!"

The boy ran back to the house, followed by his father, who went on
netting, and a minute later Jemmy and Ram were off over the bare
pastures in the direction from which the man had come.

"Find that basket you give to father, Jemmy?"

"Ay, lad, half full o' brambrys and