The Bowbells tribune., 1904-11-18
CHAPTER XIV.

WHAT 6N NiS'
| Weasel John walked down the drive
and into the road at a good pace,
chuckling and rubbing his hands as
though in high glee.
| "Lordy!" he muttered to himself,
this is prime. Maria's not well, poor
soul, so we mustn't disturb her, and
there's only the little baggage to look
out for, or else Jenny. One Of them
will have bit OF fright, I'm afraid,
and hope it may be missy. for she's
(, plucky wench, and sha'nt lose my
temper with her Jenny don't like
! me; she says l was rude to her; I
don't kiss pretty. She'll have to look
| out for squalls this time
He walked on a couple of hundred
wards or so and then came to a stop
under the hedge.
"This will do" he said, IF no one
comes along. III wait few minutes
and then go and call again, when the
coasts clear. I wish | knew where
that mad boy is. If he's up there and
puts his oar in, he'll catch a crab, anft
no mistake
At that very moment, had the Wea-
sci only known it, the mad boy was
watching him from the other side of
the hedge, almost within hands reach.
And the eyes of the mad boy were
hard and bright as those OF hunting
beast and his lips were drawn buck a
little, so that the white teeth just
showed, and strange smile came and
went across his face from moment to
moment.
For a couple of days had Phil Ugloe
stalked his quarry, timid but fierce.
ready to flee, but waiting to- strike;
and now at last his opportunity had
come.
When first Broad appeared in
Whayre Phil had, for some inexplica-.
BILE reason, attached himself to, the
stranger, quite undeterred by the:abuse'
and violence which rewarded his hon.
age. Then had occurred the incident
of which he had spoken to, Nell-the
killing of his liZard-a crime which
had changed his devotion' to- hatred.
After this he had avoided Weasel John
as much as possible, and'it was' only
when caught by cunning and con-
strained by force that he was found in
his company. When this was the,case
he showed sullenness of temper that
quickly infuriated the Weasel and led
to such scenes as that in. which the
curate had been forced to play an ac-
tive part.
Later on Phil had found what he
supposed to be the same lizard, and
on this little animal, so miraeulOusly
restored to him. he lavished adj the
love and reverence of which his poor
clouded nature was capable. He had
tanned it and marvelously overcome It's
wild shyness, SO that it, lay contentedly
in his pocket or even nestled in his
breast. And now, for the second time.
he had lost the little creature. Every
where he had sought for it., with an
anxiety that grew to frenzy as his ef-
forts proved unsuccessful. Then sud-
denly light broke upon him. OF
course! it was the bad man again
Weasel John must have stolen it,!
AS he brooded over his loss, two
thoughts contended for the mastery in
his confused and straitened mind. One
was to recover the lizard from Broad;
the other, revenge. At the same time
he had the liveliest fear OF the little
man, for bitter experience had made
him acquainted with the Weasef's
strength and agility and the nalignity
of his temper when aroused.
For the last two days, and for con-
siderable part Of the nights, too, lie
had stealthily kept watch over The
Bilge in the hope of finding IN oppor-
tunity of slipping in when the Weasel
was out to make search. But it
had seemed rs though such chance
would never come. On the first night,
it. is true, the Weasel went out after
dark, but there seemed to be number
of other men coming and going, and
once a boat was launched from the
| beach and rOwcd away.
What it all meant Phil had not the
| smallest conception; all he could grasp
was that he must wait until the coast
was clear. On this very evening he
had watched the departure of Ruffidge
and his nephews with the curate.
Then, in moment, his opportunity
seemed to have come at last. He had
seen Mr.. Leife try the door of The
Bilge without eliciting any answer,
but about quarter of an hour later
it had opened and Weasel John had
appeared and pulled it to behind him,