 What's happened o' the ladder, I'd like to know?
Theer bean't no ladder.  'Twas theer yester morn, but not a mossel o'
ladder be theer to-day.  'Tis bewitched, sure enough; some pixy or
nuggy, or little old man, hev sperited un away in the night, for I
squinnied up-along and down-along, and never got a sight o't."

"Well, time is getting on.  Do your best, Petherick.  Someone has
borrowed the ladder, no doubt, and will bring it back to-morrow.  You
should lock the tower door, and then this sort of thing couldn't
happen."

Petherick retired, a man with a grievance. Entering the tower, he pulled
at the bell-rope with a scornful air, and, indeed, the sound given out
was little like the clear note that ordinarily summoned the Polkerran
folk to worship.

They were ongo up-along this minute to the Towers,
and say as you be tarrible ashamed o' yerself for forgettin' to say
thank 'ee.  Get on with 'ee!"

Jake had to get up there and then, and set off on his errand.  He had
not been gone five minutes before his father, who had been walking
restlessly about, suddenly went down into his cellar and brought up a
keg of brandy and a large canister filled with tobacco.  Then he rapped
on the wall, and hearing a faint "Hallo!" in answer, he shouted:

"Be that you, Ike Pendry?"

"Iss, 'tis I."

"Come-along in; I want 'ee,"

When the lad entered, Tonkin handed the keg and canister to him, saying:

"Carr' them things up to Towers for me, my son. Axe for Squire, and tell
un they be a present from