He became more and more nervous; questioned me from time to time on the law; wished to know whether he would be called upon for testimony at Allen’s trial; whether there was any penalty attached to the taking of another man’s name; precisely what Drew would do with him if captured; and the tail of his eye was on the thicket as he made this inquiry.  It may be surmised that I took an exquisite delight in quenching this new-born thirst for knowledge.  And finally we all went into the cave.

Miss Thorn unpacked the things we had brought, while I surveyed the cavern.  It was in the solid rock, some ten feet high and irregular in shape, and perfectly dry.  It was a marvel to me how cosy she made it.  One of the Maria’s lanterns was placed in a niche, and the Celebrity’s silver toilet-set laid out on a ledge of the rock, which answered perfectly for a dressing-table.  Miss Thorn had not forgotten a small mirror.  And as a last office, set a dainty breakfast on a linen napkin on the rock, heating the coffee in a chafing-dish.

“There!” she exclaimed, surveying her labors, “I hope you will be more comfortable.”

He had already taken the precaution to brush his hair and pull himself together.  His thanks, such as they were, he gave to Miss Thorn.  It is true that she had done more than any one else.

“Good-bye, old boy!” said the Fraction.  “We’ll come back when we get the chance, and don’t let that hundred thousand keep you awake.”

The Fraction and I covered up the mouth of the cave with brush.  He became confidential.

“Lucky dog, Allen!” he said.  “They’ll never get him away from Cooke.  And he can have any girl he wants for the asking.  By George!  I believe Miss Thorn will elope with him if he ever reaches Canada.”

I only mention this as a sample of the Fraction’s point of view.  I confess the remark annoyed me at the time.

Miss Thorn lingered in the cave for a minute after Miss Trevor came out.  Then we retraced our way down the brook, which was dancing now in the sunlight.  Miss Trevor stopped now and then to rest, in reality to laugh.  I do not know what the Fraction thought of such heartless conduct.  He and I were constantly on the alert for Mr. Drew, but we sighted the camp without having encountered him.  It was half-past six, and we had trusted to slip in unnoticed by any one.  But, as we emerged from the trees, the bustling scene which greeted our eyes filled us with astonishment.  Two of the tents were down, and the third in a collapsed condition, while confusion reigned supreme.  And in the midst of it all stood Mr. Cooke, an animated central figure pedestalled on a stump, giving emphatic directions in a voice of authority.  He spied us from his elevated position before we had crossed the brook.

“Here they come, Maria,” he shouted.

We climbed to the top of the slope, and were there confronted by Mrs. Cooke and Mr. Trevor, with Mr. Cooke close behind them.