tongues for many a long day to come."

"All right, Thomas," cried Barnes, "I'm your man; I think you're on the
right scent."

"Very good, Jim; Cricketty Hall, and Friday night, that's where and when
the meeting's to be. It means next Friday no doubt, for Levi Sharples
won't stay in this neighbourhood a moment longer than he can help. You
may depend upon it, when these two meet at the old ruin, Levi'll have
some of their old mates not far-off, and there'll be wild work with poor
William when they've got the opportunity. But we'll give 'em more
company than they'll reckon for. But now, Jim, we must be cautious how
we act. Of course I could go and tell William privately what I think
Levi's up to, but I shall not do that; I want to catch that rascal in
his own trap, and get him out of the country for good and all, and give
the rest of them such a lesson as they'll not soon forget. So it won't
do for you or me to be seen going out towards Cricketty Hall on Friday
evening, for they are sure to set spies about, and we should spoil all.
I'll tell you how we'll manage. I've been wanting a day at Foxleigh for
some time, as I've some business of my own there. You get leave to meet
me there, and I'll pay your fare. Go by the eight a.m. train on Friday
morning, and I'll take the train that starts at dinner-time. No one'll
ever suspect us of going to Cricketty Hall that way. I shall tell the
police at Foxleigh my business, and they'll be glad enough to send some
men with us when they know that Levi Sharples will be there, the man
they've been wanting to catch. We can get round to the woods above
Cricketty Hall from Foxleigh without being seen, when it begins to be
dark, and can get down into the ruins without their noticing us, for
they'll never think of any one coming by that road, such a roundabout
way. And mind, Jim, not a word to any one, not even to your missus.
All you need tell her is, that I've wanted you to meet me about some
business at Foxleigh, and you won't be back till late."

"All right, Thomas," said Barnes; "you may depend on it I shan't say
nothing to nobody. I shall just tell my missus afore I'm setting off on
the Friday morning as I've got a job to do for you, and she mustn't
expect me home till she sees me; and no one'll be surprised at my
turning up at the station, as they all know as I used to be porter
there."

Cricketty Hall was one of those decayed family mansions which are to be
met with i