e better. Once we hear him at the pears we can
drop upon him like two cats on a mouse."

"Yes," said Tom; "but we must mind and not scratch ourselves, David."

"Ay, we'll take care o' that, sir. But mind, no talking. Got your
stick?"

"I stuck it upright in the second black-currant tree. Yes, here it is."

"That's right then, sir. There's your place, and I've got something
better for you this time. I stuffed two sacks full o' hay, and you can
sit down now like on a cushion, and pull the horse-cloth you'll find
folded up over you."

"But what about you?"

"Oh, I've got one too, sir. I'm all right. Now then--mum!"

The hay made a faint sound as they both sat down after a glance round
and listening intently. Then Tom pulled the horse-cloth up over his
knees, for the night was chilly, and found it very warm and comfortable.

Then the various sounds from the village reached him--the barking of
dogs, voices, the striking of the clock, the noise of wheels, the
donkey's braying, with a regularity wonderfully like that of the
previous night, and then all silence and darkness, and ears strained to
hear the rustling sound which must be made by any one climbing over the
wall.

The time glided on; and as it grew colder, Tom softly drew the rug
cloak-fashion over his shoulders, listened to note whether David made
any remark about the rustling sound he made, but all the gardener said
was something which resembled the word _ghark_, which was followed by
very heavy breathing.

"Gone to sleep again," said Tom to himself. "What's the good of his
pretending to sit and watch?"

He secured his hazel, aimed for where his companion sat in the next
alley between the blackcurrants, and gave him a poke with the point.

But this had not the slightest effect, and another and another were
administered, but without the least result; and thinking that he would
have to administer a smart cut to wake up his companion, Tom set himself
to watch alone.

"Don't matter," he muttered. "I can manage just as well without him."
And then he sat in the thick darkness, with his ears strained to catch
the slightest noise, thinking over the Vicar's visit that day, and about
how he would like to catch Master Pete.

It was very warm and comfortable inside the horse-cloth, and must have
been close upon nine o'clock, but he had not heard it strike. David was
breathing regularly, so loudly sometimes that Tom felt disposed to rouse
him up; but