red yards down a lane which branched off the main road. When she
came out and down this lane again, a man was standing at the end of
it where it emerged on to the high road. He was standing looking
down the lane very eagerly at first, but, as Jessie drew nearer, he
stepped back a pace or two, and looked nervously first over one
shoulder and then over the other, along the high road.

Jessie was ten years old, and accustomed to seeing strange
rough-looking men about, so that there seemed no reason why she
should feel frightened, but she did, and for a moment almost turned
and ran back to the friendly shelter of Mrs. Maddock's dairy.
Later on she often wished she had, but then, as she told herself, he
would probably have run after her and caught her.

With her heart beating very fast, but trying to look quite calm and
unconcerned, she walked sturdily on. As soon as she had got past
him, she thought, and had turned the corner, she would race home as
fast as her legs could carry her, and if she did spill some milk
granny would forgive her when she knew how frightened she had been.
But the man evidently did not intend that she should pass him, for as
she drew near he stood right in her path, and to prevent any chance
of escape he seized her by the wrist.

"I've been looking for you, this long while," he said roughly.
"Now don't make a noise," as Jessie screamed "help." "If you're
quiet I shan't hurt you, but if you make a noise and bring a crowd
round, I'll thrash you to within an inch of your life. Do you hear?"

"Let me go," wailed Jessie, struggling to release her wrist.
"I must go home, granny's waiting for me, she is ill."

"And I've been waiting for you longer than 'granny' has. I've been
waiting hours. Your grandfather's gone away, isn't he?"

"Yes, to Norton."

"That's all right."

"He'll be home soon," retorted Jessie, in the vain hope of
frightening the man. "Oh, do let me go, please! granny is ill, and
waiting for me to take her her dinner."

"I've waited longer for my dinner than ever she has. You shall bring
me mine instead. In bed, is she?"

"Yes," sobbed Jessie.

"That's all right."

"Oh, would no one ever come," Jessie wondered, looking frantically
about her.

The man read her thoughts and actions. "No, it isn't likely there'll
be anybody about just yet, they are all to market, or off somewhere.
I took care to choose my time well. Is your grandfather coming home
by train?"

"Yes