I'm not afraid of your spreading it in Calne; for it might bring a hornets' nest about your head, and about some other heads that you wouldn't like to injure." With the last words Mr.Pike crossed the hurdles and went off in the direction of Hartledon.

It was a light night, and the clerk stood and stared after him.

To say that Jabez Gum in his astonishment was uncertain whether he stood on his head or his heels, would be saying little; and how much of these assertions he might believe, and what mischief Mr.Pike might be going after to-night, he knew not.

Drawing a long sigh, which did not sound very much like a sigh of relief, he at length turned off to Dr.Ashton's, and the man disappeared.
We must follow Pike.

He went stealthily up the road past Hartledon, keeping in the shade of the hedge, and shrinking into it when he saw any one coming.