"Well, and have not I often saved his neck, as well by my influence
as by allowing him to take shelter under my roof whenever he was hard
pressed?"

"I know that, your honor; and hasn't he and I often sarved you, on the
other hand?"

"I grant it, Molly; but that is a matter known only to ourselves. You
know I have the reputation of being very correct and virtuous."

"I know you have," said Molly, "with most people, but not with all."

"Well, Molly, you know, as far as we are concerned, one good turn
deserves another. Where is your friend now, I ask again?"

"Why, then, to tell you the truth, it's more than I know at the present
speaking."

"Follow me, then," replied the wily baronet; "I wish you to see him; he
is now concealed in my house; but first, mark me, I don't believe a word
of what you have just repeated."

"It's as true as Gospel for all that," she replied; "and if you wish to
hear how I found it out I'll tell you."

"Well," said the baronet calmly, "let us hear it."

"You must know," she proceeded, "that I have a cousin, one Betty Beatty,
who is a housemaid in the squire's. Now, this same Betty Beatty was in
the front parlor--for the squire always dines in the back--and, from a