It was a long shot; but the man was a Grenadier of the Guard, and picked at that.
Up went Knapp's arms, and down into the creek he stumbled, there to fall on his face. Up again to run a little further; down once more; turned head over heels; up again and out of sight.
Kit's heart rose and fell with the little man.
What to make of it?—was he hard hit?—or was he at his eternal fooling once more?
CHAPTER LII
OLD TOADIE
I
He had no time for further questions. He must see to his own line of retreat.
The Gentleman was winded, and nothing more. The opening of the drain was discovered. No matter. It had done its work, or would have when once it had seen him home.
He clambered up the bank, brushed through the tamarisk, back into the comfortable darkness.