The Woodlanders

As soon as he had examined the trap, and found that the hinges and

springs were still perfect, he shouldered it without more ado, and

returned with his burden to his own garden, passing on through the

hedge to the path immediately outside the boundary. Here, by the help

of a stout stake, he set the trap, and laid it carefully behind a bush

while he went forward to reconnoitre. As has been stated, nobody

passed this way for days together sometimes; but there was just a

possibility that some other pedestrian than the one in request might

arrive, and it behooved Tim to be careful as to the identity of his

victim.

Going about a hundred yards along the rising ground to the right, he

reached a ridge whereon a large and thick holly grew. Beyond this for

some distance the wood was more open, and the course which Fitzpiers

must pursue to reach the point, if he came to-night, was visible a

long way forward.

For some time there was no sign of him or of anybody. Then there

shaped itself a spot out of the dim mid-distance, between the masses of

brushwood on either hand. And it enlarged, and Tim could hear the

brushing of feet over the tufts of sour-grass. The airy gait revealed

Fitzpiers even before his exact outline could be seen.

Tim Tangs turned about, and ran down the opposite side of the hill,

till he was again at the head of his own garden. It was the work of a

few moments to drag out the man-trap, very gently--that the plate might

not be disturbed sufficiently to throw it--to a space between a pair of

young oaks which, rooted in contiguity, grew apart upward, forming a

V-shaped opening between; and, being backed up by bushes, left this as

the only course for a foot-passenger. In it he laid the trap with the

same gentleness of handling, locked the chain round one of the trees,

and finally slid back the guard which was placed to keep the gin from

accidentally catching the arms of him who set it, or, to use the local

and better word, "toiled" it.

Having completed these arrangements, Tim sprang through the adjoining

hedge of his father's garden, ran down the path, and softly entered the

house.

Obedient to his order, Suke had gone to bed; and as soon as he had

bolted the door, Tim unlaced and kicked off his boots at the foot of

the stairs, and retired likewise, without lighting a candle. His object

seemed to be to undress as soon as possible. Before, however, he had

completed the operation, a long cry resounded without--penetrating, but

indescribable.