“Don’t want to speak without leave, Master Fred, sir,” said Samson, in his gruff tones; “but I’ve been thinking about my brother here.”

“Yes, Samson; quite right,” said Fred.

“No, sir, it ain’t quite right. He’ll be no end of time getting well in a place like this.”

“I’m afraid so, Samson.”

“Well, sir, why not you and me and Master Scarlett there set to work first dark night, and get ’em away, one at a time, on old Dodder?”

“The pony?”

“Yes, sir.”

“But where to, man—where to?”

“Well, sir, I’ve been thinking about that, and I thought of the Manor, where they’d be comfortable; but that place wouldn’t be safe, nor the barns nor stables, nor none of the cottages round.”

“No; it would be madness to attempt it.”