"Do you go round the house, John, and see that everything is properly
fastened up. I see that you have got a jug of beer there. You had
better get a couple of hours' sleep on that settle. I shall keep
watch, till I am sleepy, and then I will call you. Let me know if
you find any of the doors or windows unbarred."

Five minutes later the constable knocked at the door of the parlor.
"The door opening into the stable yard was unbarred, Squire."

"I thought it likely that it would be so, Knapp. You have made it
fast now, I suppose? That is right. Now lie down and get an hour or
two of sleep; it is scarce likely that he will be back until late.

"That was the old woman, of course," he went on to his companion,
when the door closed behind the constable. "I thought it likely
enough that he might tell her to leave a way for him to come in.
You told me that she had been with you a good many years. I dare
say she has left that door unbarred for him many a time. I should
advise you to get a man to sleep in the house regularly; there
are plenty of fellows who will be glad to do it for a shilling or
two a week, and I do not think that it is safe for you to be here
alone."

An hour later he said to the Rector: "Now, Bastow, you had best go
to bed. I have taken the matter into my own hands, and will carry
it through. However, I won't have him taken away without your being
present, and will call you when we want you. Of course, if he will
give a solemn promise not to molest you, and, even if he won't
enlist, to leave this part of the country altogether, I shall let
him off."