"Mebbe if people treated people proper, and asked them to their house, and gave 'em a lodging and a bit of food, things might hev been found out sooner; but some people thinks they know best." The squire understood the hint, but he scorned to notice it, and went on talking sternly to the engineer; but Thorpeley was not to be put down like that, for he continued: "Mebbe theer's people in it--old people and young people--as wouldn't like to be exposed, but who hev got to be exposed, and--" "Look here," said Dick boldly, "if my father won't speak, I will.

Do you mean to say you believe Tom Tallington and I know anything about these cowardly tricks ?" "Nay, I'm not going to show my hand," said the man.

"Wait a bit, and you'll see." "No; you speak out now," cried Dick.

"I won't be suspected by any man.
Do you mean to say Tom Tallington and I know ?" "Nay, I shall na speak till proper time comes.

I know what I know, and I know what I've seen, and when time comes mebbe I shall speak, and not before." "He don't know anything," cried Tom, laughing.