"He's gone round to the stables," she said. "He's going to drive into Marston. He says that Master Chris this morning was talking about the recruiting-sergeant staying there, and he thinks it may be possible he has taken it into his head to go to him, fancying he can enlist."
"I really think that that is possible," I remarked.
"Dear me! dear me! What if anything should happen to the child on the way?" exclaimed Granny, with fresh care.
"I should not think of that; nothing will happen. Someone will find him and bring him back," I replied, speaking more cheerfully than I altogether felt.
As I spoke I turned to the window, more from a restless feeling of not knowing what to do with myself than for any other reason.
Certainly the last thing in the world I expected to see at that particular moment was the little beggar.
Yet—to my utter astonishment—that was exactly what I did see!
There he was, after causing all the confusion and alarm of which I have told you, walking down the drive as calmly as possible; as if to disappear mysteriously from home for about two hours, without leaving any idea as to his whereabouts, was the most ordinary and everyday habit a little boy could indulge in.
He was not alone, but was in company with a tall and gorgeous individual, whom I concluded was the sergeant, and the innocent cause of the little beggar's last and most startling escapade.
He walked hand in hand with him in the most confiding fashion, chattering to him apparently in his usual fashion—without the least reserve, whilst Jacky frisked along by their side.