Hildegarde flew into the house, and met Dame Hartley just coming down the stairs.

"The farmer is coming," she said, hastily; "he is almost here.

I am going to find Jock.

I shall be back--" and she was gone before the astonished Dame could ask her a question.
Through the kitchen and out of the back porch sped the girl, only stopping to catch up a small lantern which hung on a nail, and to put some matches in her pocket.

Little Will followed her, barking hopefully, and together the two ran swiftly through the barn-yard and past the cow-shed, and took the path which led to the old mill.