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404 WIELD ‘MARGARET.
~
“Allright? said Blair, ‘We've taken your advice—
at least Margaret has—and the least you can do, having.
accepted the responsibility, is to see us squarely through,
eh?”’ | a So .
Austin Ambrose nodded.
~. Yes,’ he said, simply. - opi go and see if the dog-
cart is ready, and drive it to the end of the lane. You will
find me there.- You have noidea the precautions we have»
taken, Miss Margaret,’’ he added, with a smile. “We
just drew the line at coming down in disguise! Good-
bye!” and with a wave of his hand he pushed through the .
~ underwood and left them. a a
. He stopped at a distance of a hundred yards to get a
- cigarette, and was putting it to his mouth with a smile of
-. cynical satisfaction, as he thought of the way in which he
- had gained his point, when his quick eyes saw something
moving at a little distance between him and the spot. — :
where he had left the lovers. .
He thought it was a rabbit at first, but looking intently
he saw it was a man’s fur cap. :
‘“A cap doesn’t move without a head in it,’’? he mur-
_mured, and putting his cigarette in his pocket, he made a
detour round some trees and crept close to the object.
‘As he did so he saw a man was lying full length in the
“Jong bracken, through which he had. made a clearing
just before his face, so that he could watch Blair and
Margaret. Austin Ambrose grew interested, and crept 4—
little nearer. .
Poachers do not work in the daytime, and besides, this
man had no gun, but a thick stick lay near his hand.
Austin Ambrose watched him thoughtfully, then a look
of intelligence flashed into his face. Blair had described
the man he had thrashed on Leyton Green; this was he,
this was Jem Pyke! Amongst Austin Ambrose’s great
~ gifts was a faculty of never forgetting a face or a name.
slightly. - a ne
The man looked round with a start, then sprung to his
‘Lowering himself noiselessly, he sat. down just behind .
the man,
and after waiting a minute or two, coughed
feet-and grasped his stick,
Mr.; Ambrose looked him squarely in the face. -
said. Sy
Pyke looked uncertain, and then made ready for 4
spring; but the cold eyes—and they were like glittering
steel now—held him fascinated. . oo,
‘Not a word,” said Austin, in a low, distinct voice,
‘unless you want another thrashing, Mr. Pyke!”
Jem Pyke started, and he lowered the stick. 7
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‘Don’t speak a word, my friend, or I shall:call,’’ he |