idesdale--Marjorie and Mr. Biggles--Miss Du Plessis Frightens Mr.
Lamb--The Minister's Smoke--Fishing Picnic.

After his Parthian shot, the Captain ordered Sylvanus to get out the
gig, as he was going home. Leaving Marjorie in the hands of her aunt
Carmichael, he saluted his daughter, his niece, and his two sisters in
law, and took their messages for Susan. There was grief in the kitchen
at the departure of Sylvanus, who expected to be on the rolling deep
before the end of the week. Mr. Pawkins and Constable Rigby had already
taken leave, travelling homeward in an amicable way. Then, Doctor
Halbert insisted on his vehicle being brought round, as there must be
work waiting for him at home; so a box with a cushion was placed for his
sprained leg, and he and Miss Fanny were just on the eve of starting,
when Mr. Perrowne came running up in great haste, and begged to be
allowed to drive the doctor over. With a little squeezing he got in,
and, amid much waving of handkerchiefs, the doctor's buggy drove away.
Mr. Lamb exhibited no desire to leave, and Miss Carmichael was compelled
to devote herself to him, a somewhat monotonous task, in spite of his
garrulous egotism. Timotheus, by the Squire's orders, harnessed the
horses to the waggonette, and deposited therein a pickaxe and a spade.
Mr. Bigglethorpe brought out his fishing tackle, joyous over the
prospect of a day's fishing, and Mr. Terry lugged along a huge basket,
prepared by his daughter in the kitchen, with all manner of eatables and
drinkables for the picnic. The lawyer made the fourth of the party,
exclusive of Timotheus, who gave instructions to Maguffin how to behave
in his absence. The colonel was with Wilkinson, but the ladies and Mr.
Lamb came to see the expedition under way. It was arranged that
Timotheus should drive the Squire and the lawyer to the masked road and
leave them there, after which he was to take the others to Richards
place, put up the horses, and help them to propel the scow through the
lakes and channels. Accordingly, the treasure seekers got out the pick
and shovel, and trudged along to the scene of the late fire. As they
neared the Encampment, their road became a difficult and painful one,
over fallen trees blackened with fire, and through beds of sodden ashes.
At the Encampment, the ground, save where the buildings had stood, was
comparatively bare. The lofty and enormously strong brick chimney was
still standing in spite of the many ex