"Well, Doctor," said Jip (he was badly out of breath from
running), "I know all about the Hermit--I have known for years.
But I couldn't tell you."

"Why?" asked the Doctor.

"Because I'd promised not to tell any one. It was Bob, his dog,
that told me. And I swore to him that I would keep the secret."

"Well, and are you going to tell me now?"

"Yes," said Jip, "we've got to save him. I followed Bob's scent
just now when I left you out there on the marshes. And I found
him. And I said to him, 'Is it all right,' I said, 'for me to
tell the Doctor now? Maybe he can do something.' And Bob says to
me, 'Yes,' says he, 'it's all right because--' "

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, go on, go on!" cried the Doctor. "Tell
us what the mystery is--not what you said to Bob and what Bob
said to you. What has happened? Where IS the Hermit?"

"He's in Puddleby Jail," said Jip. "He's in prison."

"In prison!"

"Yes."

"What for?--What's he done?"

Jip went over to the door and smelt at the bottom of it to see if