“No, sir, and nobody else could, talking like that.”

“No, of course not. That’s why I said could I trust you. Scar and Sir Godfrey and Nat must be all safe.”

“Do you know what you are talking about, sir, or are you a bit off your head?”

“I’m as clear-headed as you are, man. Look there!”

“Yes, sir, I’m a-looking, and there’s a heap o’ sere ’ood with a bit of a hole in it.”

“Yes; some one has been through there.”

“What, do you think he has made himself another hole?”

“Yes, Samson.”

Fred gave a quick, excited look round, but they were alone in the patch of forest.

“Yes, sir, I’m a-listening.”