"Hush, sir! hush!" cried Kit. "For goodness' sake, hush! They'll hear you."
"Hullo! hullo! what's all this?" came a voice from across the sward.
"Excuse me, sir!" whispered Knapp, unabashed. "I'd best be steppin it. Here are your papers, sir." He flung a packet through the window and flashed away.
The Gentleman sat on the wall in the moonlight.
"So your chap's back," he called in his friendly voice.
"Yes, sir," replied the Parson harshly, "and the soldiers on his heels two thousand strong, with a couple of Horse Batteries, and a company of Sappers to rig up a gallows for conceited young coxcombs who pose on walls in the moonlight."
"Very glad to see any friends of yours any time," replied the Gentleman. "But unless they come soon I'm afraid we shall miss. I'm off at dawn. But I'll see you again before going. Good-night."
He sauntered away.
The Parson turned, grinding his teeth.
Then he saw the boy's face, and laid a hand on his shoulder.