en for fully ten minutes.

Eleven o'clock was striking and all seemed very still. Not a light was
visible on that side, and the neighbouring works were apparently quite
empty as we stood and listened.

"Let's walk along by the side of the dam, Cob," said Uncle Jack. "I
don't suppose we shall see anything, but let's have a look how the place
seems by night."

I followed close behind him, and we passed under the one gas lamp that
showed the danger of the path to anyone going along; for in the darkness
there was nothing to prevent a person from walking right into the black
dam, which looked quite beautiful and countrified now, spangled all
over, as it was, with the reflections of the stars.

I was going to speak, but Uncle Jack raised his hand for me to be
silent, and I crept closer to him, wondering what reason he had for
stopping me; and then he turned and caught my arm, for we had reached
the end of the dam where it communicated with the river.

Just then two men approached, and one said to the other:

"Tell 'ee, they changes every night. Sometimes it's one and the boy,
sometimes two on 'em together. The boy was there last night, and--
Hullo! 'Night, mate!"

"'Night!" growled Uncle Jack in an assumed voice as he slouched down and
gave me a shake. "Coom on, wilt ta!" he said hoarsely; and I followed
him without a word.

"I tried it, Cob," he whispered as we listened to the retreating steps
of the men. "I don't think they knew us in the dark."

"They were talking about us," I said.

"Yes; that made me attempt to disguise my voice. Here, let's get back.
Hark! There's the dog. Quick! Something may be wrong."

We set off at a trot in the direction that the men had taken, but we did
not pass them, for they had gone down to their right; but there was no
doubt existing that the affairs at the works were well known and that we
were surrounded by enemies; and perhaps some of them were busy now, for
Jupiter kept on his furious challenge, mingling it with an angry growl,
that told of something being wrong.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

PANNELL'S PET.

"Who's there?"

"All right--open the door! Cob and I have come down to see how you are
getting on," said Uncle Jack.

The gate was unlocked and a stout iron bar that had been added to the
defences taken down.

"Why, what brings you two here?" cried Uncle Dick. "What's the matter?"

"That's what we want to know. How long has the dog been uneasy?"

"For th