e trapped with proofs of their guilt on them, had
quenched all their spirit. Torpid after their big meal, they had fallen
asleep in their hiding-place, feeling perfectly secure from detection.
They had been awakened by something touching them, breathing into their
faces, diving into their pockets where the remains of their feast lay
hidden, and had awakened with a start to find a huge, eager, angry animal
standing over them. They would have yelled but for the fear of drawing
still more attention to themselves and their whereabouts.

When they heard footsteps approaching their terror increased a
hundredfold, but when the owners of them turned the corner, and they found
they were nothing worse than four little girls--the eldest no bigger than
themselves--their relief was great, and their courage began to return.
They assumed at once a superior 'don't-care' air, as though they thought
it all a great joke. In their own minds they felt they could easily defy
such antagonists and get the better of them; but their attitude only made
Esther and Penelope more indignant with them.

"Now," said Esther severely, "you are caught. You are three thieves, and
we have caught you, and it only remains for us to decide what we shall do
with you. Guard, come here."

Guard obediently came to her side, but he only helped so completely to
block the entrance that the boys recognised at once that they were no
better off than they were before.

"You go away and leave us alone," cried the tallest of the young scamps, a
boy of about fourteen. "We've got as much right here as you, and you've
no right to stop us if we wants to go. I'll tell the p'lice as 'ow you
set your great savage dog on us. Yes, I will, see if I don't!"

Esther laughed scornfully. "I should like to see you," she said
contemptuously. "You wouldn't _dare_!"

"Wouldn't I! wouldn't I dare! You just wait and see then," he went on in
a bullying tone.

Penelope could keep quiet no longer. "That's easily proved," she said
loftily. "I will go and get one. Constable Magor will be in the village
about this time, it won't take me long to get him," and she turned away.

The boys' faces were a picture. Fear, confusion, astonishment took the
place of their bragging. They still kept up a semblance of defiance,
but it was very lukewarm. "No, you won't. You know you don't mean it.
You needn't try to kid us. We know better."

Penelope without another word walked away. W