"Through one of the lead windows, as I've often climbed through when I was a little girl; and then went into the vestry and up the screw stairs, and into the little place in the loft." "How did you get the key?" "How did I get the key? Why, I came and took it from here." "You jade." "And you came and caught me." "Did you take anything else?" "No, gran'fa, of course not," cried the girl. "I was obliged to do it. Then I waited till I could just see Leo Salis come in along the church, and she passed under me and went into the vestry." "Sure?" "Sure? Of course I am; and then I stole down the screw stairs and waited by the door till I heard him come in from the churchyard." "And me about there in the morslem all the time!" muttered Moredock. "Well," he added aloud, "was it young Squire Tom?" "Yes, gran'fa; it was him, safe enough, and it was Leo Salis, and she scolded him for being so late, and they stopped together for ever so long; him smoking." "Smoking?" "Yes; I heard him strike a match, and I could smell it--a wretch!" "And I thought it was the parson," said Moredock, chuckling. "They stayed there two hours, gran'fa; and they go regular, and I had to wait till they'd gone before I could go back." "And weren't you afraid, Dally?" said the old man with a grin. "'Fraid! What of?" said the girl. "I wasn't afraid, but I felt as if I could have killed them both." "Ay, you must, my pretty. And now what do you mean me to do?" "Do? Take the doctor there, and let him find Leo out, and beat Tom. It'll stop it all, and serve him right. You will, won't you, gran'fa?" "Ay, lass, I will." "You good old, darling old gran'fa; and--look--look!" The old man's eyes caught sight of a face at the lattice window at the same moment; and almost before she had spoken, Moredock had caught up the heavy leaden tobacco jar, and hurled it with so good an aim that it went out through the diamond panes with a loud crash. Daily stood in the fire-lit room half paralysed; but the old man had hobbled to the door, and gazed out in the darkness for a few moments, listening to the sound of retreating feet. "Who was it, gran'fa?" whispered Dally. "Well, I arn't quite sure," said the old man with asperity; "but I should say it was that Joe Chegg." "And he heard all I said?" "Nay, I shouldn't think he did; but I just give him warning if he comes spying and listening about my place, he'll get it with the maddick or the spade." "I don't think he came to spy, gran'fa." "Then it was after you, and I won't have it." "Never mind him, gran'fa," said Dally, with quiet confidence; "even if he did hear, I can silence him." "No courtin', for I won't have it." "Courting with him!" cried Dally scornfully. "Don't be afraid that I shall do that, gran'fa! But you'll tell doctor?" "Don't you be afraid, my gel." "And when?" "First chance I have," said the old man grimly; and then to himself: "He shan't call me a mummy for naught." "Good night, gran'fa."