"What will he say when he finds out that the King of the Tonga Islands picks his teeth with a pitch fork?" added Shuffles, contemptuously. "I don't intend that he shall find it out? and he won't, unless you tell him."
"Of course, I shall not tell him."
"Come along, then? it is nearly dark, and no one will see us."
Shuffles led the way down the gravelled walk, till he came to a brook, on the bank of which stood the peach tree whose rich fruit had tempted the young gentlemen to invade the territory of Mr. Lowington with intent to plunder.
"There they are," said the chief of the young marauders, as he paused behind a clump of quince bushes, and pointed at the coveted fruit. "There's no discount on them, and they are worth coming after."
"Hark!" whispered Monroe. "I heard a noise."
"What was it?"
"I don't know. I'm afraid we shall be caught."
"No danger; no one can see us from the house."
"But I'm sure there's some one near. I heard something."