Page:Mistress Madcap Surrenders (1926).pdf/244

 pew. Then, as they knelt with bated breath, they heard the opposite pew door open and close.

"Well, Hawtree," said a cheerful voice, "this be saintly shelter from the storm, yet 'twill serve our purpose as well as any!"

Charity grasped Mehitable's arm. The voice was that of the spy, Simpson!

"Saintly shelter, indeed!" responded Hawtree surlily. "And because o' the storm—Gad, that be a close one!—it must do for us!"

There were sounds of wet garments being spread out to dry upon the wooden bench, then Simpson spoke briskly:

"And now to business, gentlemen!"

"Nay!" interrupted a third voice gruffly. "Let us first assure ourselves, young man, that we be the only occupants in here! The door was unlatched, ye mind!"

"An it make it any easier in your mind, Moody!" answered Hawtree scornfully.

"Back here beneath the bench, Cherry—quick!" whispered Mehitable, noiselessly, as footsteps scattering over the church indicated that a search had begun.

"No one here!" reported Simpson's voice from the front of the church after awhile.

"No one on this side!" came Moody's voice from the opposite side of the big room.

Clump! Clump! Clump! Charity's eyes di-