"Priests all shaved, Clothed in black, Convent walls, Screws and rack. Women walkin' in procession, Cravin' for a dead man's blessin', Weepin' eyes, wailin' cries, Lonely, lonely, oal alone." "Stop," I cried; "stop, I'll have none of that here." "Aw, aw," chuckled Eli; "mawther ded zee, mawther ded zee. Never mind, little Eli 'll git the hosses then--aw, we sh'll 'ave braave times, we shall!" And he burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. I must confess that he made me shudder, especially as I remembered how much depended on our actions during the next twenty-four hours. Presently he became more grave, more cautious, and when he had had his breakfast, started to get horses. "You'll be careful, very careful," I said anxiously. "Iss." "And what time may I expect you?" "'T'll be dark at vive o'clock," he said, like one musing, "little Eli'll be 'ere by seven. Eli c'n zee, aw, iss, iss," and then he went on talking to himself, uttering all sorts of wild ejaculations. "What do you mean by talking so strangely?" I said, but he gave me no answer. "You watch, Maaster Jasper," he said, significantly--"watch. The Trezidders be'ant a-bait yet. Besides, there's the "Priests all shaved, Clothed in black, Convent walls, Screws and rack." Then, as he leapt across the stream, he gave a curious cry, like the cry of a wild beast in pain. All through the day I kept out of sight, but nothing escaped my notice. I determined to be very careful, for Eli had caused me to have many suspicions. Twice only did I see any priests, and then I noticed that they talked eagerly to each other, as if they had something important engaging their attention. In the Manor House, however, all was silent as the grave. No words can say how I longed to gain admission and see my loved one again, especially when I thought of the history of the house, and the many secret places it possessed. Still I had done the best I had been able, and it was for me to follow out the plans I had made. When five 'clock came my heart began to beat high with hope. I should soon see my loved one again, and take her to a place of safety. My many fears began to depart, too. I felt certain that no one suspected my plans, and that Naomi would be able to find her way to the bower in which I had seen her. My hiding-place was in the sexton's tool-house at the back of the church, and from here I could see the entrances to the house, so unless there was some subterranean way leading to Lanherne Manor, no one could come or go away without my notice.