“Well, I don’t hardly know whether I’ve got t’ right pig by t’ ear,” said his father slowly; “but I’ve a sort of a notion. Happen there’s naught in it, but that’s to be tried for. Did you ever climb t’ shingle at t’ spot Nancy tells about?” “I can’t say ’at I ever did,” he replied. “I don’t know ’at I’ve taken much notice of t’ place.” “Me and Baldwin’s been up many a time when we were lads. It isn’t easy, but there’s ways o’ getting up ’at isn’t _that_ hard, and a chap might light o’ one by chance and think it was a soft job, then t’ next time he tried he might find his-self bested. If Inman’s aiming to get up it’s ’cause he’s been there before, you mark my words, and he’s desp’rate anxious to get there again.” “But what can he want up t’ cliff side?” inquired Jagger; “it’s that ’at puzzles me. A man doesn’t go bird-nesting in t’ dark.” “That depends, my lad, on what sort o’ eggs there may happen to be i’ t’ nest. Suppose, now, he’s made a nest of his own i’ one o’ t’ hidey-holes aboon t’ shingle, and wants t’ eggs in his pocket! It’s nobbut a notion I’ve getten in my noddle, lad, but I’m going to tell you how to scram’le up, and where to look.” “Something o’ t’ same sort was at t’ back o’ my mind,” said Jagger, “but it licks me what he could want to hide up there.” “I’m saying naught,” returned his father, “’cause I’ve naught but a notion to go by. I’m same as I’ve fun a lock that’s short of a key. You’ll see what you make out, lad, but it wouldn’t cap me if you were to find summat ’at’ll make your eyes bulge.” He refused to say any more, and they crossed the fields to the ravine in silence until Jagger laid his hand on his father’s arm. “I could ha’ thought there was somebody i’ front of us,” he said. “Hark you!” They were at the very entrance to the chasm and at the foot of the rocks with the screes above them. Both men listened intently, but there was no sound except the flapping of a bird’s wings high above. “It’s been one o’ t’ daws you heard,” said Maniwel. “I didn’t hear it exactly,” replied Jagger; “I sensed it.” “You’re nervy, lad,” said his father. “It’s as well I came wi’ you. Now just take a bit o’ notice while I tell you which way to go.” His voice sounded loud and Jagger remonstrated with him in a low voice, but Maniwel was unmoved. “We’er doing naught to be ashamed on, lad, and there’s no ’casion to muffle t’ clappers. If you find aught ’at we’ve no concern wi’ you’ll leave it where it is; and if you chance across summat ’at doesn’t belong either to Inman or us you’ll bring it down and we’ll let t’ police have it. Put this box o’ matches i’ your pocket. You’ll mebbe want a light before you’ve finished, and I don’t know ’at it matters if anybody sees you.” “I’m down about your being by yourself if Inman comes,” said Jagger.