"We just about are," said one of the men: and then, as John Maine remained breathless behind the hedge, he heard the grating of feet upon the gravel, and one said to the other: "Say, Jem, lad, did you see?" and he made a smacking noise with his lips. "I see," replied Jem, "everythink." Then, "If that theer Johnny Maine don't show up, we'll precious soon have the owd badger out of his earth." John Maine shrank back with a cloud of thoughts hurrying through his brain, foremost among which was that these men had been spying up at the vicarage. Through any window there could be seen the valuable plate on the sideboard and shelves, and the plan of offering a bird for sale was but an excuse for getting up to a house--a plan which he knew of old. For a few moments he felt disposed to turn back; then he was for facing them boldly: but all doubts were set at rest by footsteps coming in his direction; so, stepping out boldly, he was soon after face to face with his two old companions, who seemed to be strolling about with their hands in their pockets, enjoying an evening pipe. "Here he is!" exclaimed Ike, grinning; "I knew he'd come. But howd your noise, Jem; don't make a row. Johnny don't care about being seen too much along of us. It's all raight. He knows a thing or two. There'll be a bit of a game on soon, lad, and we shall want you. We don't know one another, we don't. Now, which is the gainest way to the cricket-field?" John Maine pointed in the direction, and Jem came close up with a leer, saying: "Say, lad, recklect that plate job, eh? Melted down at Birmingham or Sheffle, an' no questions asked." John Maine shuddered as he recalled the time when he was innocently made the bearer of a heavy package to a bullion melter, and told afterwards whence the silver had been obtained. Before he had recovered himself, the two scoundrels had sauntered away, leaving him shivering, as he thought over their words, and understood them as a threat of denunciation, unless he kept his own counsel. Then, in imagination, he saw a party drive over from one of the big towns in a light spring-cart, drawn by a weedy screw of a horse; an entry made at the vicarage, and everything of value swept away, while he was helpless to arrest the robbery, except at the cost of his worldly position. He stood thinking for a time, and then strode on across the fields to the cricket ground, where a little half-hearted play was going on, the men of Dumford being too much influenced by the strike to care much for any thing save their tobacco. He caught sight of the two men once or twice; but they took not the slightest heed of his presence, and instead of their watching him he watched them, following them at last into the town, and seeing them go along the main street past the Glaires' house, and away up the hill, Richard coming down and passing them.