"Yes, yes, poor lad, you've had a fall, that's plain enough," said the old gate-keeper feelingly. "Have you ever heard your mother say whether she's known you walk in your sleep?" "I never walk in my sleep," said Reuben impatiently. "I tell you that as soon as I saw the light and guessed that there were persons in the yard, I hurried on some clothes and went out." "Yes, yes, I know," said Samuel, with a smile which nettled Reuben. "But it passes my comprehension how any one could have got into the yard without my hearing them. But go and lie down, lad, if you can't eat any breakfast. A little sleep will do you good. I shall not open the gates for half an hour yet, and if you don't feel well enough to get up then, lie still a little longer. I'll tell Mr. Akenside how it is." "Oh, I mean to tell Mr. Akenside everything myself, as soon as he comes," returned Reuben. "Very well, very well," replied the old man, in the tone of one who would humour a whimsical patient; "but go and get a little rest whilst you can." And Reuben was glad to take his advice, for his head ached terribly, and he felt good for nothing. He had not lain long on his bed ere he fell fast asleep. Finding him sleeping soundly when he came to look at him a little later, old Samuel let him sleep on, for he felt sure Reuben would not be fit for work if he were roused. As the gate-keeper stood at his post taking the names of the workpeople as they passed into the works, Mr. Savage came in. Samuel looked at him curiously. But the foreman wore his usual stern, inflexible look, which revealed nothing. "Mr. Savage," said Samuel. Savage turned sharply at the sound of his name. "Well," he said—he was always curt of speech—"what is it?" "I suppose you wasn't in the yard at five o'clock this morning?" "What! I! In the yard at that hour? I should rather think not. I have enough of the place by daylight, without wanting to come here in the dark." "So I thought," said the old man, with a grin. "Then what do you mean by asking me such a question?" "Oh, it's that lad Reuben. I believe he is brain-sick. He came in this morning with such a story—how he had seen a light in the yard, and had gone out and found you, if you please, with a cart carrying away goods. It's my belief that he walked out in his sleep under the influence of a delusion. That poor girl's accident yesterday upset him very much. He has a tender heart, has Reuben." "I hope that may be the explanation," said Savage grimly. "But I am very much afraid that story is a wicked invention, made with the purpose of hiding his own ill-deeds at the expense of my character. If I am not mistaken, you are deceived in that lad, Samuel." "I hope you 'are' mistaken, then," said Samuel, "for I never felt more confidence in any lad. It seemed to me more like a delirious dream than anything else. For how could you get into the yard without my hearing you? And then to charge you of all persons with carrying off the goods!"