"Whatever is happening? Oh, do come in, child, and bring Dick.
I am terrified to be left alone! Come in, both of you, and shut the
door;" and at the sound of her voice Dick gave up his frantic search
for his enemies, and limped quickly back. When the lady who gave him
the ham-bone called, she must never be kept waiting!



CHAPTER III.


WHAT THE MORNING BROUGHT.

It was a very shaken, tremulous trio which stood and faced each other
in the tiny kitchen, after they had locked and bolted the door.
Dick trembled with excitement and eagerness only, but Mrs. Perry was
really frightened.

"But what of my poor hens!" she gasped, as Huldah poured out the
adventures of the night. "Will the thieves come back again?
What can I do? There's twelve of them; I can't bring them all
indoors, and yet--oh, poor dears, and they so tame, and knowing me so
well. I'd sooner see them all dead than in the hands of such men;
and they'll be so frightened."

"They're all safe enough, ma'am," said Huldah, consolingly.
"The thieves didn't as much as open the door before Dick was on them,
and they won't be coming back here again in a hurry; they'll never
feel sure but what Dick's under the wall waiting for them."