The tramp moved a little and Larry took back His hand. He decided to try and see the underneath of the man's shoes. So he knelt down3 put His head to tie ground and did his best to squint at the tramp's shoes.
The tramp suddenly opened his eyes. He stared in the greatest astonishment at Larry.
"What's bitten you?" he suddenly said, and Larry almost jumped out of his skin.
"Think I'm the king of England, I suppose, kneeling in front of me with your head on the ground like that!" said the tramp. "Get away. I can't abide children. Nasty interfering little creatures!"
He curled himself up again and shut his eyes. Larry waited for a second or two, and was about to try squinting at the man's shoes again when he heard a low whistle from the other side of the rick. That meant someone was coming. Well, they would all have to wait till the passer-by was gone. Larry crept round to join Pip and the rest.
1 "Someone coming?" he asked.
"Yes - old Clear-Orf!" said Fatty. Larry peeped round ,the rick. The village policeman was coming up from the other direction, along a path that did not go near the rick. He would soon be gone.
But as he came along he suddenly caught sight of the old tramp sleeping by the rick. The children drew back hurriedly as Mr. Goon walked quietly and quickly over to the rick. There was a ladder leaning against the rick and Larry pushed Bets and the others up as quickly as he could.
They would be less likely to be seen on top than below. fortunately the rick had been cut well out, when hay was taken to the various farm-animals, and it was easy to balance on the cut-out part.
The policeman crept up quietly. The children, peering over the rick, saw him take out a notebook. Fatty gave Lany such a nudge that the boy nearly fell.