oming, and I had matters in readiness to receive them. I
reckon Jerry had an inkling of that red-hot poker and the copper of
boiling water I'd prepared for his comfort; any way, he passed our house
by, and at yours he did but ask if you were at home, and backed out, as
pleasant as you please, when Nell made answer `Nay.'"

"Then whom have they taken?"

"Mine hostess of the White Hart gat the first served. Then they went
after Nichol White, and Nichol Pardue."

"Pardue!" exclaimed Roger.

"Ay, Nichol: did not touch Collet. But they took Emmet Wilson, and
Fishwick, butcher, and poor Sens Bradbridge, of all simple folks."

"And what became of her poor little maids?" asked Roger pityingly.

"Oh, Collet's got them. I'd have fetched 'em myself if she hadn't.
They've not taken Jack Banks, nor Mall. Left 'em for next time, maybe."

"Well, I am thankful they took not you, Tabitha."

"Me? They'd have had to swallow my red-hot poker afore they took me. I
count they frighted Christie a bit, fearing they'd have you; but I went
to see after the child, and peaced her metely well ere I came thence."

"I am right thankful to you, sister. Tabitha, I have found Alice."

"You have so?--and where is she?"

Roger gave a detailed account of the circumstances.

"Seems to me they want a taste of the poker there," said Tabitha in her
usual manner. "I'll buy a new one, so that I run not out of stock ere
customers come. But I scarce think old Jeremy'll dare come a-nigh me;
it'll be Sheriff himself, I reckon, when that piece of work's to be
done. If they come to your house, just you bid Nell set the poker in
the fire, and run over for me, and you keep 'em in talk while I come.
Or a good kettle of boiling water 'd do as well--I'm no wise nice which
it is--or if she'd a kettle of hot pitch handy, that's as good as
anything."

"I thank you for your counsel, Tabitha. I trust there may be no need."

"And I the like: but you might as well have the pitch ready."

CHAPTER TWENTY.

UNSTABLE AS WATER.

"And I hope, my dear son," said the Rev. Mr Bastian, with a face and
voice as mellifluous as a honeycomb, "that all the members of your
household are faithful, and well affected towards the Church our
mother?"

The Rev. Mr Bastian chose his words well. If he had said, "as
faithful as yourself," Mr Roberts might have assented, with an interior
conviction that his own faithfulness was not without its limits. He
left no s