But it was difficult to advance farther.

With his rod for a pretext, he vainly visited each of them in turn; nothing was to be seen suspicious about this trinity of moorland settlements.

He would have tried to follow Archie, had it been the least possible, but the nature of the land precluded the idea.

He did the next best, ensconced himself in a quiet corner, and pursued his movements with a telescope.

It was equally in vain, and he soon wearied of his futile vigilance, left the telescope at home, and had almost given the matter up in despair, when, on the twenty-seventh day of his visit, he was suddenly confronted with the person whom he sought.