ght,
Like tapers clear without number."

R. HERRICK.

Behind the stackyard at the Traveller's Delight the ground dipped down
into a hollow, which, even in daylight, was completely screened from the
view of any one within the house or about the yard by a great clump or
patch of scraggy furze bushes. In this secluded spot there stood a
lime-kiln, one of those built somewhat like a low circular tower, with
gaping mouth and open roof; but for many a day the kiln had not been
used--not since the present tenant entered on possession of the farm at
Hanleigh Heath. During the course of these years of disuse nature had
been busy beautifying the original ugliness of the structure. Now ivy
climbed boldly here and there over the rough mason-work, trails of late
convolvulus festooned the opening, hardy hart's-tongue and tufts of
parsley fern sprang from every crevice in the stones, while the top was
covered with a tangle of briars, nettles, and matted grass. These
combined to form a species of thatch which perfectly protected the
interior from both wind and rain.

Bambo had come upon this spot long ago. He had, in fact, slept there one
night snugly and safely, and thought to himself what a fine hiding-place
it would be in case of need, for nobody seemed to go near it. Now, in
his dilemma and sore strait, the remembrance of the old lime-kiln came
back to him, and he welcomed the idea with joy and gratitude. It would
never occur to Joe Harris to seek his runaways in such a spot--he
probably did not know of its existence--and the dwarf did not believe
that the landlord would take any part in the chase. He surmised, and
correctly too, that such a shrewd person would prefer to ignore the
claims of friendship to running the risk of bringing the Traveller's
Delight under the notice of the authorities, or mixing himself up with
what might turn out to be an awkward business.

For what seemed to the watching Bambo a very long time lights continued
to burn within the house, while now and again a burst of noisy laughter
broke the silence of the night, rising discordantly above the steady,
persistent pitter-patter, pitter-patter, drip, drip, drip of the soft,
thick autumn rain. At length the darkness and stillness of midnight held
the homestead in possession. Even the rain had ceased to fall; not a
sound was to be heard except the dwarf's hoarse, laboured breaths and
the gentle, regular breathing of the sleeping chi