“Men coming here, you say! You are sure of that?”
“I am not sure that they are coming to-night, but they will come sooner or later. One said they knew where he was, and the other asked the way to Oldcastle Farm.”
Dick turned to her quickly and decisively.
“Do you mind if I leave you here alone for a little while?”
“No-o, but won’t you let me come too? Oh, do let me!”
“I can’t. It would only alarm him the more. You stay here, and if you hear any one at the front door, don’t take any notice, but come across the yard as softly as you can; and if you see a light shining through a grating close to the ground on the other side, throw a stone through, but don’t cry out.”
“Very well,” said Freda.
As Dick turned again to go, the provisions laid out on the table caught his eye. With a hotly flushing face, he took up the bread and cutting off a piece, said, with an awkward laugh:
“We may as well give him some supper, don’t you think so?”
Without a word, Freda loaded him with meat, bread and butter.