CHAPTER III.
A KIDNAPPING "_And with that sound the castle all to-brast; so she took him, and they two fared forth hand in hand." "QUEST OF THE GRAIL." The front door opened, and a slatternly woman in a soiled print dress came shuffling down the flagged pathway to the gate.

She wore cloth boots, and Tilda took note that one of them was burst.
"Go away," said the woman, opening the gate just wide enough to thrust out her head.

"We don't give nothing to beggars." "I could 'a told _you_ that," retorted Tilda.

"But as it 'appens, I ain't one." She pointed to a brass letter-plate beside the wicket--it was pierced with a slit, and bore the legend, _For Voluntary Donations_.
"Seems you collect a bit, though.

Like it better, I dessay." "Look here, if you've come with a message, let's 'ave it, an' take yourself off.