cross-roads, Nicky, burn my eyes
no----" Here Joseph cursed him and fell to biting his nails.

"Why not meet here?" suggested Benno.

"No, nor here!" snarled Jerry, "I don't like this place, 'tis a
dog-hole and wi' a ladder look'ee a ladder leading devil knoweth where
look'ee--a ladder as is meant to climb and as I'm a-going to
c-climb----" But as he rose unsteadily Joseph's heavy hand dragged him
down again.

"There's the mill then," said he, "the ruined mill beyond Westerham,
we'll meet there. We all know it----"

"I don't," growled Jerry, "and don't want----"

"The Captain does and you'll ride with him. At the ruined mill then
to-morrow night a half after ten--sharp."

"And what then, Nick--ha?" enquired the Captain, taking a pinch of
snuff.

"Why then----" Here Joseph sunk his voice so low as to be inaudible to
any but those craning their necks to listen.

"'Tis a simple plan and should be no great matter!" nodded the Captain.
"Aye, rat me, I like your plan, Nick----"

"Aye, but the genty mort," demurred Jerry, "now if she squeal and
kick--burn me I've had 'em scratch and tear d-damnably ere now----"

"Squeeze her pretty neck a little," suggested the Captain.

"Or choke her with her furbelows," grinned Benno.

"No!" said Joseph, scowling, "there's to be no strangling--no rough
work, d'ye take me--it's to be done gentle or----"

"Gentle, ho--gentle, is it!" cried Jerry fiercely. "And how if she
gets her claws into me--the last one as I culled for a flash sportsman
nigh wrung my ear off--gentle? 'Tain't fair to a man it don't give a
man a chance, it d-don't----"

"And that's all now!" said Joseph, rising. "To-morrow night at the
ruined mill--I'll give you your last instructions to-morrow at half
after ten. Now who's for a glass over at the inn--landlord's a cull o'
mine." At this everyone rose excepting Jerry who lolled across the
table scowling from one candle to another.

"Ain't you a-coming, Jerry?" enquired the gipsy-looking fellow, turning
at the door.

"No--not me!" snarled Jerry. "Bones do ache--so they do! 'S-sides
I've drunk enough, and I--I'm a-going--to climb--that ladder an' burn
all, says I."

"Then climb it and be damned!" said the other and strode away after his
companions, slamming the door behind him. Jerry sat awhile muttering
incoherently and drew a pistol from his pocket; then he rose and
steadying himself with infinite pains against the rickety table, fixed
his