Crown and Sceptre Part 89

"See what, sir?"

"If there have been rabbits here, it's a sure sign that Nat is not in his hiding-place."

"Yes; I didn't think of that," said Samson, taking off his steel cap to give his head a scratch. "Never mind, sir; go on. He may have been back and gone out for a walk. It's just like him; being as awk'ard and contrary as can be."

Fred hesitated a moment or two, and then, feeling depressed and disappointed, thinking that the poor faithful follower of the Markhams was sharing their misfortunes, and perhaps lying dead hidden among the bushes, he took a step or two further on, pressed the twigs aside, and peered into the verdant tunnel Nat had made his temporary home.

"He is not here," he said sadly, as he crept in.

"Nor yet been there, sir?"

"No! Yes," cried Fred, changing his tone from one full of despondency to the very reverse. "He has been here, Samson. The food is all gone."

"Don't shout, sir. We may be heard. But that don't prove nothing.

Rabbits and rats and field mice and all sorts of things may have been and eaten it. Cake and chicken! What waste! I might as well have eaten it myself," he muttered. Then, once more aloud, "We may as well drink what's in the bottle, sir."

"But it's gone, Samson," cried Fred, from the end of the tunnel.

"Gone, sir? The rabbits couldn't have--"

"And your jerkin is gone, too."

"Hooray! Then the poor old--"

Samson checked his jubilant speech before it was half ended, and continued, in a grumbling tone--

"That's just like Nat I told you how awk'ard he could be."

Fred came struggling back out of the verdant tunnel, and rose to his feet. Then, looking round, he said--

"We must try and follow his track, Samson. Which way is he likely to move--"

He, too, stopped short, staring wildly before him; and then he caught Samson's arm, unable to speak, so sudden was the hope which had flashed in upon his brain.

"See him, sir?" whispered Samson, as he stood gazing in a startled fas.h.i.+on in the same direction. "Oh, Master Fred, sir," he burst out, "don't, don't say the poor lad's dead. Nat, Nat, old chap, not without one good-bye grip of the hand."

"No, no, no," gasped Fred, half dragging his companion back.

"Not dead, sir?" panted Samson.

"No, no, no!"

"And you couldn't see him, sir?"

"No."

"Then what do you mean by serving a fellow like that?" muttered Samson to himself. "I didn't think I could make such a fool of myself--about an enemy, too."

"Samson," whispered Fred, excitedly, "can I trust you?"

"No, sir. 'Tarn't likely," growled the man, morosely. "I'm sartain to go and tell tales everywhere, and blab it all out, whatever it is."

"No, no; I don't believe you, lad. You always were true as steel, Samson."

"Master Fred, lad, I'd die for you!" half sobbed Samson, with his face working; and he clung now to the hand extended to him. "But do, do speak, sir. Poor Nat aren't dead?"

"No, no! How could I have been such an idiot!"

"Such a what, sir? Here, who says so?" cried Samson, truculently.

"I can't think how it was I never thought of it before."

"Here, sir, 'pon my head, I don't know which hole you're coming out of.

What do you mean?"

"They're alive, Samson; they're alive!"

"_He's_ alive, sir--_he's_ alive, you mean."

"No; I mean they must be alive."

"But there never was but one Nat, sir; and that was quite enough."

"You don't understand me, man."

"No, sir, and n.o.body else could, talking like that."

"No, of course not. That's why I said could I trust you. Scar and Sir G.o.dfrey and Nat must be all safe."

"Do you know what you are talking about, sir, or are you a bit off your head?"

"I'm as clear-headed as you are, man. Look there!"

"Yes, sir, I'm a-looking, and there's a heap o' sere 'ood with a bit of a hole in it."

"Yes; some one has been through there."

"What, do you think he has made himself another hole?"

"Yes, Samson."

Fred gave a quick, excited look round, but they were alone in the patch of forest.

"Yes, sir, I'm a-listening."

"There's a secret pa.s.sage leads from there right up to the Hall."

"Secret grandmother, sir!"