passing on through the
hedge to the path immediately outside the boundary. Here, by the help
of a stout stake, he set the trap, and laid it carefully behind a bush
while he went forward to reconnoitre. As has been stated, nobody
passed this way for days together sometimes; but there was just a
possibility that some other pedestrian than the one in request might
arrive, and it behooved Tim to be careful as to the identity of his
victim.

Going about a hundred yards along the rising ground to the right, he
reached a ridge whereon a large and thick holly grew. Beyond this for
some distance the wood was more open, and the course which Fitzpiers
must pursue to reach the point, if he came to-night, was visible a
long way forward.

For some time there was no sign of him or of anybody. Then there
shaped itself a spot out of the dim mid-distance, between the masses of
brushwood on either hand. And it enlarged, and Tim could hear the
brushing of feet over the tufts of sour-grass. The airy gait revealed
Fitzpiers even before his exact outline could be seen.

Tim Tangs turned about, and ran down the opposite side of the hill,
till he was again at the head of his own garden. It was the work of a
few moments to drag out the man-trap, very gently--that the plate might
not be disturbed sufficiently to throw it--to a space between a pair of
young oaks which, rooted in contiguity, grew apart upward, forming a
V-shaped opening between; and, being backed up by bushes, left this as
the only course for a foot-passenger. In it he laid the trap with the
same gentleness of handling, locked the chain round one of the trees,
and finally slid back the guard which was placed to keep the gin from
accidentally catching the arms of him who set it, or, to use the local
and better word, "toiled" it.

Having completed these arrangements, Tim sprang through the adjoining
hedge of his father's garden, ran down the path, and softly entered the
house.

Obedient to his order, Suke had gone to bed; and as soon as he had
bolted the door, Tim unlaced and kicked off his boots at the foot of
the stairs, and retired likewise, without lighting a candle. His object
seemed to be to undress as soon as possible. Before, however, he had
completed the operation, a long cry resounded without--penetrating, but
indescribable.

"What's that?" said Suke, starting up in bed.

"Sounds as if somebody had caught a hare in his gin."

"Oh no," said she. "It was