"We have found the plunder on them," the head constable said, coming
out of the lockup as he drew rein before it, "and, fortunately for
young Bastow, nothing was found upon him."

"How are the two men?"

"The fellow you hit first is conscious now, sir, but very weak. The
doctor says that if he hadn't had a thick hat on, your blow would
have killed him to a certainty. The other man's arm is set and
bandaged, and he is all right otherwise. We shall be able to have
them both in court at twelve o'clock."

The Squire rode up to his house. He was met at the door by his son,
in a state of great excitement.

"Is it all true, father? The news has come from the village that
you have killed two men, and that they and Arthur Bastow have all
been taken away in a cart, guarded by constables."

"As usual, Mark, rumor has exaggerated matters. There are no
dead men; one certainly got a crack on the head that rendered him
insensible for some time, and another's arm is broken."

"And are they highwaymen, father? They say that two horses were
fastened behind the cart."

"That is what we are going to try, Mark. Until their guilt is
proved, no one knows whether they are highwaymen or not."

"And why is Arthur Bastow taken, father?"