t wrop well
round."

The hazels were cut and carried back to the garden, burdened with their
twigs and greenery.

"He might be about, and think they was meant for him, if we trimmed 'em
into sticks, Master Tom. He won't think anything if he sees 'em like
this."

The hazels were shortened to a convenient length as soon as they were in
the garden, David chuckling loudly the while.

"I owe that chap a lot, Master Tom, and if I can get a chance I mean to
pay him this time. Hit low, sir, if you get a crack at him."

"Not likely to hurt him," said Tom.

"More likely, sir. Trousers are thin, 'specially hisn, and they've got
some good holes in 'em generally, where you might reach his skin;
'sides, you're not likely to cut his face or injure his eyes. Nothing
like hitting low. Now, then, I'm going on with my reg'lar work, and as
soon as it's dark I shall be down here in among the blackcurrants, with
a couple of old sacks and a horse-cloth, for us to sit on, so as not to
ketch rheumatics."

"About what time?" said Tom.

"Arpus eight, sir. There's no moon to-night so it'll be pretty dark;
but we shall hear him."

"If he comes," said Tom.

"Course, sir, if he comes. But we'll chance that, and if he don't, why
we shall know as my pears is safe."

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

Tom Blount did not make a very good tea that evening, for he was excited
by thoughts of the coming watch.

He was not in the least afraid, but his face felt flushed, and there was
a curious tingling in the nerves which made him picture a scene in the
garden, in which he was chasing Pete Warboys round and round, getting a
cut at him with the stick from time to time, and at last making him turn
at bay, when a desperate fight ensued.

It seemed a long time too till half-past eight, and though he took up a
book of natural history full of interest, it seemed to be as hard
reading as _Tidd's Practice_, in Gray's Inn.

"Seat uncomfortable, Tom?" said his uncle at last.

"No, uncle," said the boy, colouring. "Why?"

"Because you can't sit still. Oh, I understand. You are thinking of
going out to watch."

"Yes, uncle."

"Humph! More than the pears are worth, Tom."

"Do you think so, uncle?"

"Decidedly. But there, the thief deserves to be caught--and thrashed;
but don't be too hard upon him."

Tom brightened up at this, and looked at the clock on the mantel-piece.

"Why, it's stopped," he said.

"Stopped? Nonsense," said Uncle