234 Winter 



which Willie threw contemptuously into the brook. 

 ' Get up and fight like a man,' he said ; but Aleck was 

 beaten. Adam was in ecstasies, 



' Bring the box round, lad ; never mind that villain.' 

 Willie lifted it, but on feeling the weight ' Xo, no.' he 

 replied, ' he can take it back himself. Take it up and 

 wade,' he said, ' and if you drop it or try any tricks I'll 

 bray your head into putty.' 



* Let me cany it round by the big bridge ? f 

 besought the now thoroughly cowed Sandy. 



' Xo, by Heaven ! ' said the other, ' through the burn 

 you go ; ' and, willing or not, he forced him to ford the 

 current which a moment after he cleared in a running 

 leap. 



What is it all about?' he then found time to 

 ask. 



'You've stopped a bit ugly work, I'm thinking/ 

 said Adam, upon whom the full extent of the crime 

 began to dawn as he dimly recognised the shape, size, 

 and weight of his money-box in the clouded, uncer- 

 tain light ' These two have been trying to rob me.' 



' Xever,' said Willie. ' Kitty, you wouldn't do- 

 thatr 



1 Come up and make sure,' said Adam. 



With that they all began silently to retrace their 

 steps, only Kitty slipped away in front as if to avoid 

 embarrassing questions. Willie was very thoughtful. 

 Just as they were coming to the door he said to Adam,. 

 in a low, troubled voice, which he tried hard to make 



