“What’ll I do with this?” says Silas, giving Tod a little shake.

“Oh,” says Mark, “l-let him go! He’s been mighty useful. We hain’t got a thing against Tod.”

Silas acted like he didn’t like to do it, but he let go of Tod, and Tod scooted.

“Guess maybe you better f-f-follow him,” says Mark to the man on the ground. “Tell Mr. Wiggamore you had bad l-luck. Tell him that you wasn’t able to do what you set out for on account of bein’ interrupted. And if I was you, I’d go away somewheres and hide.”

“Huh!” says the man. “You dunno what you’re talkin’ about.”

“Maybe so,” says Mark. “Good night, mister.”

And he went off—the man, I mean.

That left just Mark and Silas and me, but in another minute along came Tallow and Binney.

“Hey, Mark Tidd!” says Tallow.

“Right here by the door,” says Mark.