a voice that trembled with anger, "base wretch that you are!"

"Crumbs!" ejaculated William.

"Ha! Ha!" sneered the man. "I have you in my power. I will keep you
here a prisoner till you sign the paper which will make me master of
all your wealth, and beware, girl, if you do not sign, you may answer
for it with your life!"

"Golly!" murmured William.

Then he crawled away into the bushes, followed by his attendant
squire.

"Well," said William, his face purple with excitement, "we've found
someone to rescue all _right_. He's a base wretch, wot she said, all
_right_."

"Will you kill him?" said the awed squire.

"How big was he? Could you see?" said William the discreet.

"He was ever so big. Great big face he had, too, with a beard."

"Then I won't try killin' him--not straight off. I'll think of some
plan--somethin' cunnin'."

[Illustration: WILLIAM AND GINGER FOLLOWED ON ALL FOURS WITH ELABORATE
CAUTION.]