"I've brought both, sir," said Peter breathlessly, and all eagerness
now, for he was ashamed of his fright.

"Wrench it open, then," said the doctor; and after a few sharp cracks
the rotten old door gave way, and swung upon its rusty hinges, when a
strange sight met the eyes of those who pressed forward into the further
loft.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

The rough loft had been turned into a kind of dwelling-place, for there
was a bed close under the tiles, composed of hay, upon which, neatly
spread, were a couple of blankets. On the other side were a plate, a
knife, a piece of bread, and a jam-pot, while in the centre were some
rough boxes and an old cage, on the top of which sat the ragged
squirrel.

"There," said Peter triumphantly, as he pointed to the squirrel.

The doctor was looking eagerly round in search of the dweller in this
dismal loft, but there was no one visible.

"Found him, sir?" came from below.

"No, not yet," replied the doctor. "Here, Peter, go up that other
place."

There was no hesitation on the groom's part now. He sprang up the
second ladder and went along under the roof, but only to come back
shaking his head.

"No one up there, sir."

"Are you sure he did not come down!" cried the doctor, as Peter lifted a
rough trap at the side, through which, in bygone days, the horses' hay
had been thrust down.

"Quite sure, sir," shouted back Dan'l. "I just see his legs coming
down, and he snatched 'em up again, and slammed the trap."

"The young rascal!" said the doctor; "he's here somewhere. There must
be some loose boards under which he is hidden."

But there was not a loose board big enough to hide Bob Dimsted; and
after another search the doctor rubbed his head in a perplexed manner.

"Shall I come up, sir, and have a look?" said Dan'l.

"No, no. Stay where you are, and keep a sharp look-out," cried the
doctor. "Why, look here," he continued to Helen; "the young scoundrel
has been leading a nice life here, like a Robinson Crusoe in an
uninhabited island. Ah! at last!" shouted the doctor, staring straight
before him; "there he is. Here, Peter, hand me the gun!"

Peter stared at his master, whose eyes twinkled with satisfaction, for
his feint had had the desired effect--that of startling the hiding
intruder.

As the doctor's words rang out there was a strange rustling sound
overhead; and, as they all looked up, there came a loud crack, then
another