of a man's
land, so that there was no cause for surprise to Vane when after going
along some distance beneath the overhanging oak trees he came suddenly
upon his old friends the gipsies once more, with the miserable horses
grazing, the van and cart drawn up close to the hedge, and the women
cooking at their wood fire as of old.

They saluted him with a quiet nod, and as Vane went on, he was cognisant
of the fact that they were watching him; but he would not look back till
he had gone some distance. When he did the little camp was out of
sight, but the two gipsy lads were standing behind as if following him.
As soon as they saw that they were observed, they became deeply intent
upon the blackberries and haws upon the hedges, picking away with great
eagerness, but following again as Vane went on.

"I suppose they think I'm going rabbiting or fishing, and hope to get a
job," thought Vane. "Well, they'll be disappointed, but they must find
it out for themselves."

He was getting hot now, for the sun came down ardently, and there was no
wind down in the deeply-cut lane, but he did not check his pace for he
was nearing Sowner's woods now, and eager to find out the object which
had brought his three fellow-pupils there.

"What are they after?" he said. "Distin wouldn't stoop to go
blackberrying or nutting. He doesn't care for botany. Rabbiting! I'll
be bound to say they've got a gun and are going to have a day at them.

"Well, I don't mind," he concluded after a pause, "but I don't believe
old Distin would ever hit a rabbit if he tried, and--"

He stopped short, for, on turning a corner where the lane formed two
sides of a square field, he saw that the two great hulking lads were
slouching along after him still, and had lessened the distance between
them considerably.

Vane's musings had been cut short off and turned into another track.

"Well," he said, "perhaps they may have a chance to hunt out wounded
rabbits, or find dead ones, and so earn sixpence a piece."

Then, as he hurried on, taking off his hat now to wipe his steaming
brow, he began to wonder who had given the pupils leave for a day's
rabbit-shooting, and came to the conclusion at last that Churchwarden
Rounds, who had some land out in this direction had obtained permission
for them.

"Don't matter," he said; "perhaps they're not after rabbits after all."

Soon after the lane turned in another direction and, as he passed round
the corner, thinki