e was starting in the
pursuit he had caught his legs on "Sir Chawles sir's" stick, and "barked
hisself."

"I remember," said Charles. "You got in my way. You should look out
where you are going. You may as well go and find my stick."

The poor victim of duplicity departed rather crestfallen, and at this
moment Dare came up.

"We have lost him," he said, wiping his forehead. "I don't know what has
become of him."

"He doubled back here," said Charles. "I followed, but you all went on.
The police have got him. He was not a poacher after all, so they said."

"Ah!" said Dare. "They have him? I regret it. He ran well. I could wish
he had escaped. I was in the door-way of a stable watching a long time,
and all in a moment he rushed past me out of the door. The policeman was
seeking within when he came out, but though he touched me I could not
stop him. And now," with sudden weariness as his excitement evaporated,
"all is, then, over for the night? And the others? Where are they? Do we
wait for them here?"

"We should wait some time if we did," replied Charles. "Ralph is certain
to go on to the other coverts. He has poachers on the brain. Probably
the rumor that they were coming here was only a blind, and they are
doing a good business somewhere else. I am going home. I have had enough
enjoyment for one evening. I should advise you to do the same."

Dare winced, and did not answer, and Charles suddenly remembered that
there were circumstances which might make it difficult for him to go
back to Vandon.

They walked away together in silence. Dare, who had been wildly excited,
was beginning to feel the reaction. He was becoming giddy and faint with
exhaustion and want of food. He had eaten nothing all day. They had not
gone far when Charles saw that he stumbled at every other step.

"Look out," he said once, as Dare stumbled more heavily than usual,
"you'll twist your ankle on these loose stones if you're not more
careful."

"It is so dark," said Dare, faintly.

The moon was shining brightly at the moment, and as Charles turned to
look at him in surprise, Dare staggered forward, and would have
collapsed altogether if he had not caught him by the arm.

"Sit down," he said, authoritatively. "Here, not on me, man, on the
bank. Always sit down when you can't stand. You have had too much
excitement. I felt the same after my first Christmas-tree. You will be
better directly."

Charles spoke lightly, but he knew from wh