but as there had been more snow in the night, and it had now set in to
thaw, we could see nothing anywhere in the way of footmarks to trust to.
Certainly it was a regular puzzle, for we hadn't the slightest idea
which way to turn. `Well, Harry?' I said. `Well, Master Walter?' he
said in reply; but that didn't help us forward many steps. `Let us ride
on till we get to some house where we may make inquiries,' I said. So
we set off, and after a bit came to a farm-house, and asked if any one
had seen two people on horseback about, that day or the day before,
describing Amos as one. No; they had seen no such riders as we
described, therefore we had to trot back to the heath again. `Well,
Harry?' I said again. `Well, Master Walter?' he replied; and we stared
at one another like two--well, I hardly know what to say, but certainly
not like two very wise men. So we rode about, first in this direction,
and then in that, till we began to be fairly tired.

"It was now getting on for luncheon time, so we made for a farm-house,
got some bread and cheese and milk, and a feed for our horses, and then
set out again; and weary work we had. At last I was almost giving up in
despair, and beginning to think that we had better go home and try some
other plan, when, as we were passing near a copse, we saw a tall figure
slouching along through the melting snow. The man did not see us at
first, but when he looked round and made out who we were, he began to
quicken his pace, and strode along wonderfully. There was no mistaking
him; it was Jim Jarrocks, the fellow who won my sovereign in that
foolish match on Marley Heath. Jim evidently had rather we had not met,
for he had a couple of hares slung over his shoulder, which he could not
well hide. However, there was no help for it, so he put a bold face on
the matter, and touched his hat as I overtook him, and said, `Your
servant, Mr Walter; I hope you're well.' Of course I did not think
anything about the hares then, I was too full of Amos; so I asked him if
he had seen Amos alone, or with another horseman. `No, sir,' he
replied, `I've not; but I'll tell you what I've seen. Last night I
found Mr Amos's pony, Prince, about a mile from here; he was saddled
and bridled, and had broke loose somehow or other, it seemed. So, as in
duty bound, I got on him, and rode him over to the Manor-house, and
fastened him up in the stable-yard; for it was late, and I didn't like
to rouse anybody.'