raced himself up. As Bones drew near Pax almost burst his
little chest with an inhalation. When Bones was within three feet of
him, he gave vent to such a skirl that the burglar's reason was again
upset. He bounded away, but suddenly recovered self-possession, and,
turning round, dashed at the old well, where Pax had prematurely begun
to enjoy himself.

To jump to his feet and run like the wind was the work of a moment.
Bones followed furiously. Rage lent him for the moment unwonted power.
He kept well up for some distance, growling fiercely as he ran, but the
lithe limbs and sound lungs of the boy were too much for him. He soon
fell behind, and finally stopped, while Pax ran on until out of breath.

Believing that he had now rid himself of some mischievous boy of the
neighbourhood, the burglar turned back to transact his business at
Rosebud Cottage.

Peter Pax also turned in the same direction. He felt that things were
now beginning to look serious. To thwart Mr Bones in his little game
by giving information as to his intentions, would have been easy, but
then that would have involved his being "took," which was not to be
thought of. At the same time, it was evident that he was no longer to
be scared by yells.

Somewhat depressed by his failure, Pax hastened towards the cottage as
fast as he could, resolved to give his enemy a last stunning reception
in the garden, even although, by so doing, he would probably scare Miss
Stivergill and her household out of their wits.

He reached the garden some minutes before Bones, and clambered over the
wall. While in the very act of doing so, he felt himself seized by the
throat and nearly strangled.

"Now then, young 'un," growled a deep voice, which was not that of
Bones, "what little game may you be up to?"

"Ease your grip and I'll tell you," gasped Pax.

It was the constable of the district who had caught him. That faithful
guardian of the night, having been roused by the unwonted yells, and
having heard Pax's footsteps, had followed him up.

"I'm not a burglar, sir," pleaded Pax, not well knowing what to say.
Suddenly he opened his mouth in desperation, intending to give one final
yell, which might scare Bones from his impending fate, but it was nipped
in the bud by the policeman's strong hand.

"Ha! you'd give your pal a signal, would you?" he said, in a gruff
whisper. "Come now, keep quiet if you don't want to be choked. You
can't save 'im, so you'd