It was to Harry Stronghand that little Pat directed his steps, after overhearing the conversation which we have related. Pat knew that the son of the parsonage was a hero, and, in his opinion, the most intelligent member of the family, and the best fitted to cope with the facts which he had to reveal. He met the object of his search on the road. "Plaze yer honour," said Pat--who was an Irishman, and therefore "honoured" everybody--"there's two tramps at the public as is plottin' to break into your house i' the mornin'." "You don't mean it, do you?" returned Harry, with a smile and raised eyebrows. "That's just what I do, yer honour. I heard 'em reel off the whole plan." Hereupon the boy related all that he knew to the youth, who leaned against a gate and nodded his curly head approvingly until the story was finished. "You've not mentioned this to any one, have you, Pat?" "Niver a sowl but yersilf, sir." "You're a sensible boy, Pat. Here's a shilling for you--and, look here, Pat, if you keep dark upon the matter till after breakfast to-morrow and don't open your lips to a living soul about it, I'll give you half a crown." "Thank yer honour." "Now mind--no hints to the police; no remarks to your master. Be dumb, in fact, from this moment, else I won't give you a penny." "Sure I've forgot all about it already, sir," said the boy, with a wink so expressive that Harry felt his word to be as good as his bond, and went back to the parsonage laughing. Arrived there, he went in search of his sister, but found that she was out. "Just as well," he muttered, descending to the dining-room with his hands deep in his pockets, a pleased expression on his handsome mouth, and a stern frown on his brows. "It would not be safe to make a confidant of her in so delicate a matter. No, I'll do it all alone. But how to do it? That is the question. Shall I invite the aid of the police? Perish the thought! Shall I consult the Pater? Better not. The dear, self-devoted man might take it out of my hands altogether." Harry paused in profound meditation. He was standing near the window at the time, with the "statters" on either hand of him.