oon as I can." He ran to Billy, who
was close to him, and bringing the cart to where the box lay, he lifted
it in. As he was getting in himself, with the reins in his hands, he
perceived that the three men were running towards him as fast as they
could, and that they all had guns in their hands. They were not more
than a hundred and fifty yards from him when Humphrey set off, putting
Billy to a full trot.

The three men observing this, called out to Humphrey to stop, or they
would fire; but Humphrey's only reply was giving a lash to Billy, which
set him off at a gallop. The men immediately fired, and the bullets
whistled past Humphrey without doing any harm. Humphrey looked round,
and finding that he had increased his distance, pulled up the pony, and
went a more moderate pace. "You'll not catch me," thought Humphrey;
"and your guns are not loaded, so I'll tantalise you a little." He made
Billy walk, and turned round to see what the men were about; they had
arrived at where he had dug out the box, and were standing round the
hole, evidently aware that it was no use following him. "Now," thought
Humphrey, as he went along at a faster pace, "those fellows will wonder
what I have been digging up. The villains little think that I know
where to find them, and they have proved what they are by firing at me.
Now, what must I do? They may follow me to the cottage, for I have no
doubt that they know where we live, and that Edward is at the
Intendant's. They may come and attack us, and I dare not leave the
cottage to-night, or send Pablo away, in case they should; but I will
to-morrow morning." Humphrey considered as he went along all the
circumstances and probabilities, and decided that he would act as he at
first proposed to himself. In an hour he was at the cottage; and as
soon as Alice had given him his dinner--for he was later than the usual
dinner-hour--he told her what had taken place.

"Where is Pablo?"

"He has been working in the garden with Edith all the day," replied
Alice.

"Well, dear, I hope they will not come to-night: to-morrow I will have
them all in custody; but if they do come, we must do our best to beat
them off. It is fortunate that Edward left the guns and pistols which
he found in Clara's cottage, so we shall have no want of firearms; and
we can barricade the doors and windows, so that they cannot get in in a
hurry; but I must have Pablo to help me, for there is no time to be
lost."