“No, Charlie, you must not come near here again for some time, as I am certain there is danger, and I would far rather wait to see you until you can come with safety.  I feel there is something wrong going on between my father and Jacques.”

“Nonsense, Marguerite; you really must not have these idle fancies.  I shall come over in the evening after dark.  You come up this path, and show the light of a lantern three times if all is well.  Then I will start from our barracks, and come as quickly round the cliffs as I can.  You return to the mill, and go to the granary; I will climb up the mill wheel.  If I remember rightly, the granary window is just over the wheel.  Then I shall be able to speak to you for a few minutes, and bring the precious little bobbins.”

“Halloo!  Charlie, where are you, and what have you done with my sister?”

“Oh! there is Hirzel.  How he frightened me,” exclaimed Marguerite, who evidently feared everything to-night.

“She is all right, old fellow.  Come along, you are just in time to take her home; I must be off, or black hole for me.”

Hirzel now appeared from the midst of the ferns and gorse, and came up on the path and joined his sister and Charlie.

“The fish won’t bite to-night, somehow; they are not so easily caught by a dazzling bait as some other things I could mention.  Ha!  Marguerite, you seem to take it to yourself.  Well, perhaps I mean you, and perhaps I don’t; but come along, Father will think you are lost.”

Hirzel said “Good night” to Charlie, and moved off discreetly, leaving his sister to follow.

“Don’t forget Wednesday night, Marguerite; I shall look for your signal about eight, and if all’s well, I’ll be round by nine.  I will get leave to stay out later than usual that night.”

“Well, Charlie, I won’t prevent your coming this once, but my heart sadly misgives me.  I hope nothing will happen to you.”

“Don’t be foolish, Marguerite, but run away after your brother; he is looking impatient, and you know this is nicer for me than for him!  He is a brave good lad, worthy of having such a sister as he has.  Good bye till Wednesday.  Mind, don’t forget the signal.  Good night, Hirzel.”

“Well! time you said it old fellow,” shouted Hirzel, “I have knocked about all the stones in the neighbourhood with my stick, so was beginning to be at a loss for employment.  Come quickly.  Marguerite.”

On the way home Marguerite told her brother how Charlie was to come and see her on Wednesday, and they arranged that Hirzel should stop about the house so fearful of some violence occurring was Marguerite.

CHAPTER IV.