e went into the meadow and called "Compton! Compton!" as loud as she
could, but there was no reply.

Then she came in, and began to be alarmed, and sent servants about in
all directions.

But two hours elapsed, and there were no tidings. The thing looked
serious.

She sent out grooms well mounted to scour the country. One of these
fell in with Sir Charles, who thereupon came home and found his wife in
a pitiable state. She was sitting in an armchair, trembling and crying
hysterically.

She caught his hand directly, and grasped it like a vise.

"It is Richard Bassett!" she cried. "He knows how to wound and kill me.
He has stolen our child."

Sir Charles hurried out, and, soon after that, Reginald arrived, and
stood awe-struck at her deplorable condition.

Sir Charles came back heated and anxious, kissed Reginald, told him in
three words his brother was missing, and then informed Lady Bassett
that he had learned something very extraordinary; Richard Bassett's
little girl had also disappeared, and his people were out looking after
her.

"Ah, they are together," cried Lady Bassett.

"Together? a son of mine consorting with that viper's brood!"

"What does that poor child know? Oh, find him for me, if you love that
dear child's mother!'"

Sir Charles hurried out directly, but was met at the door by a servant,
who blurted out, "The men have dragged the fish-ponds, Sir Charles, and
they want to know if they shall drag the brook."

"Hold your tongue, idiot!" cried Sir Charles, and thrust him out; but
the wiseacre had not spoken in vain. Lady Bassett moaned, and went into
worse hysterics, with nobody near her but Reginald.

That worthy, never having seen a lady in hysterics, and not being
hardened at all points, uttered a sympathetic howl, and flung his arms
round her neck. "Oh! oh! oh! Don't cry, mamma."

Lady Bassett shuddered at his touch, but did not repel him.

"I'll find him for you," said the boy, "if you will leave off crying."

She stared in his face a moment, and then went on as before.

"Mamma," said he, getting impatient, "do listen to me. I'll find him
easy enough, if you will only listen."

"You! you!" and she stared wildly at him.

"Ay, I know a sight more than the fools about here. I'm a poacher. Just
you put me on to his track. I'll soon run into him, if he is above
ground."

"A child like you!" cried Lady Bassett; "how can you do that?" and she
began to wring her hands again.

"I'll