f the creek.
It was comforting to know that so far at all events Mr. Gow had
neither sunk her nor pawned her.

Warren's Copse proved to be the small clump of trees that I had
noticed on the previous day, and my driver pulled up there and jerked
the butt of his whip in the direction of the hut.

"There y'are," he said. "We can't get no nearer than this."

There was a good distance to walk across the marsh, and for a moment I
wondered whether to insist upon his getting out and carrying one of
my bags, I decided, however, that I had had quite enough of the surly
brute's company, so jumping down, I took out my belongings, and told
him that he was at liberty to depart.

He drove off without a word, but he had not gone more than about
thirty yards when he suddenly turned in his seat and called out a
parting observation.

"I ain't afraid o' you--you--'ulkin' bully!" he shouted; "an' don't
you think it neither."

Then, whipping up the horse, he broke into a smart canter, and
disappeared round a bend in the road.

When I had done laughing, I shoved a bottle into each side pocket, and
stowed away the other three in the emptier of my two bags. The latter
were no light weight to lug along, and by the time I had covered the
half-mile of marsh that separated me from the hut I had come to the
conclusion that the profession of a railway porter was one that I
should never adopt as a private hobby.

As soon as I unlocked the door, I saw that I had not been far wrong in
my guess about a caretaker on the previous afternoon. Some one, at all
events, had been there in the interval, for the pile of cooking and
eating utensils were now arranged on a rough shelf at the back, while
the box which I had noticed had been unpacked and its contents set out
on the kitchen table.

I glanced over them with some interest. There were packets of tea and
sugar, several loaves of bread, and a number of gaily-coloured tins,
containing such luxuries as corned beef, condensed milk, tongue,
potted meat, and golden syrup. Except for the tea, however, there
seemed to be a regrettable dearth of liquid refreshments, and I
mentally thanked Providence for my happy inspiration with regard to
the Off-Licence.

I pottered about a bit, unpacking my own belongings, and putting
things straight generally. As I seemed likely to be spending some time
in the place, I thought I might as well make everything as comfortable
and tidy as possible to start with; and, th