ef, you
may be sure, when the like of him's about. You know he used to be a
great man with Will Foster's old set; and, would you believe it, I saw
him yesterday evening, when it was getting dark, standing near Foster's
house talking with him. They didn't see me, for I was in the shadow;
I'd just stooped down to fasten my boot-lace as they came up together.
I'd had a message to take to William's wife, and was coming out the back
way, when I heard footsteps, and I knew Levi in a moment, as the gas
lamp shone on him. I didn't want to play spy, but I _did_ want to know
what that chap was up to. So, while their backs was towards me, I
crawled behind the water-butt without making any noise, and I could
catch a few words now and then, as they were not far-off from me."

"Well, Jim, and what did you hear?"

"Why, Levi said, `It won't do for me to be seen here, so let us have a
meeting in some safe place.'--`Very well,' says William, and then they
spoke so low I could only catch the words, `Cricketty Hall;' but just as
Levi were moving off, he said in a loud whisper, `All right, then--
Friday night;' and I think he mentioned the hour, but he spoke so low I
couldn't clearly mate out any more. So I've come to tell you, Thomas
Bradly, for there's mischief of some sort up, I'll be bound."

Bradly did not answer, but for a time a deep shade of anxiety settled on
his features. But after a while the shadow passed away. "James," he
said earnestly, "I can't believe as there's anything wrong in this
matter in William Foster. I can't believe the Lord's led him so far, in
the right way, and has now left him to stray into wrong paths. I've
watched him narrowly, and I'm certain he's as true as steel. But I
think with you as there's mischief brewing. Though William has got a
clever head, yet he's got a soft heart along with it, and he's not over
wide-awake in some things; and I'll be bound he's no match for a villain
like that Levi. I tell you what it is, Jim: it strikes me now, just as
we're speaking, as Levi's being set on by some of William's old mates to
draw him out of the town to a place where they can play him some trick,
or do him some harm, without being hindered or found out. I can't
explain how, of course, but that's my thought. Now, if you'll lend me a
helping hand, I'm persuaded as we shall be able, if the Lord will, to
turn the tables on these fellows in such a way as'll effectually tie
their hands and stop their