"As good as sure," declared Dick. "Anyhow, I'll very soon make certain. I shall go to Leigh Grange at once and ask to see the colonel. Then if it's the right one, we'll pay Stranger's tax the first thing to-morrow morning, and after that's done, we shall feel he's safe."
"Very well, my dear; I daresay, we shall all sleep the better to-night for having the anxiety about the poor dog taken off our minds. But why didn't you tell me you had found that match-box, Dick? You're not generally so close about things."
"I didn't tell you because I didn't find it, and I could not bring myself to worry you by saying how it got into my hands," was the child's admission. Then, as they walked on side by side in the direction of Leigh Grange, Dick narrated the story of his meeting in the woods with Stephen Filmer, adding, "And I thought God was so cruel to let that great bully rob me of the shilling when I wanted it so badly. I little dreamed that things would turn out as they have."
And now that the silver lining had appeared to his cloud, Dick laughed merrily at the thought of how vexed the squire's son would be when he discovered what he had lost by not being able to restore the box.
"How shall you account to Colonel Flamank for having the match-box in your possession?" Mrs. Wilkins presently interrogated. "If he asks questions, you'll be bound to tell him the whole story that you've just told me."
Dick hesitated a minute, after which he said,—
"I hadn't thought of that; and I shouldn't like to tell tales on Master Stephen, though he did serve me shamefully bad that afternoon in the woods. But there! Like as not, the colonel won't want particulars; and if he doesn't, why then, I needn't give him any."
Arrived at the entrance of Leigh Grange, Dick bade his mother not to wait for him, lest she should take cold by standing. Some seconds later, he was walking up the colonel's trim carriage-drive, his heart beating, his legs shaking beneath him, with nervousness and excitement.
[CHAPTER V.]
DICK'S INTERVIEW WITH THE COLONEL.