The beggar may spring on us at any moment." "Or it may wait bill it is too dark for us to see." "Yes, by Jove!" "It is bad; but I am afraid we do not know the worst." "What do you mean ?" "Mr.Hume must have missed us a long time back; and he would have come after us if----" "I see," said Compton, gravely.

"You think that something has happened to them ?" Venning nodded.

"It's all my fault, Dick." Compton was glancing up into the trees.

"We must dispose of that brute first.

But how ?" "I have an idea," said Venning, after a long pause.