as we went to the gate, and then
walked off quickly.

"What does that mean, oh, boy of mystery?" said Uncle Jack.

"They suspect that I have discovered their plans," I cried joyfully.

"And have you--are you sure?"

"Only wait five minutes, uncle, and you shall see," I cried.

We entered the works, fastened the gate after us, and then, taking the
end of my fishing-line as soon as we reached the grinding-shop, I began
to bind the two meat-hooks one across the other.

"What, are you going to try for eels that way?" said Uncle Bob laughing,
as my uncles seemed to be gradually making out what was to come.

"Well," I said, "they broke my other line."

By this time I had fastened the hooks pretty firmly, and to the cross I
now secured the end of the clothes-line.

"Fine eel that, Cob," said Uncle Dick, hunting the one I had caught into
a corner, for it had been travelling all over the place.

"Yes," I said; "and now the tackle's ready, throw in and see if you
can't get another."

Uncle Dick went straight to the doorway, stepped on to the platform, and
threw in the hook, which seemed to catch in something and gave way
again.

"Come, I had a bite," he said laughing. "What has been thrown in here--
some bundles of wire or steel rods?"

"Try again," I said laughing, and he had another throw, this time
getting tight hold of something which hung fast to the hooks, and came
up dripping and splashing to the little platform, where it was seized,
and Uncle Bob gave a shout of delight.

"Why, I never expected to catch that," cried Uncle Dick.

"I thought it was some stolen rings of wire," said Uncle Jack, as he
seized hold, and together they dragged a great tangle of leather and
catgut bands over the platform into the grinding-shop, fully half
falling back with a tremendous splash.

"Cob, you're a hero," cried Uncle Dick.

"The malicious scoundrels!" cried Uncle Jack.

"Throw in again," said Uncle Bob.

And then Uncle Dick fished and dragged and hauled up tangle after tangle
till there was quite a heap of the dripping bands, with rivulets of
water streaming away over the stone floor, and right in the middle a
monster of an eel, the gentleman I had hooked, and which had wound
itself in and out of the catgut bands till it was held tight by the
mouth.

"He deserves to have his freedom," said Uncle Dick, as he gave the bands
a shake so that the hook came out of the eel's mouth, and it began to
writhe and twine abo