"N—n—no, miss."
"Did he swear if you didn't talk to me he'd cut your tongue out?"
"N—n—no, miss."
"Well, now, stop howling and listen to me! Since, at the peril of your eyelids, you are obliged to keep me in sight, I give you leave to ride just within view of me, but no nearer, and you are never to let me see or hear you, if you can help it for I like to be alone."
"I'll do anything in this world for peace, Miss Caterpillar," said poor Wool.
And upon this basis the affair was finally settled. And no doubt Capitola owed much of her personal safety to the fact that Wool kept his eyes open.
While these scenes were going on at Hurricane Hall, momentous events were taking place elsewhere, which require another chapter for their development.
CHAPTER VIII.
ANOTHER MYSTERY AT THE HIDDEN HOUSE.