box of treasure.  The fishermen came to see them off, and, then, they descended to the lake shore and began the sport of the day.  Timotheus drove, and the Squire sat up between him and his affectionate father-in-law.  The lawyer was in the rear seat with the prisoner, who, for greater security, was lashed to the back of it.  Rawdon’s revolver was in his captor’s hand, and his skull-cracker in a handy place.  Several times, shamming insensibility, the prince of tricksters endeavoured to throw his solitary warder off his guard, but the party reached Bridesdale without his succeeding in loosening a single thong.  There was great consternation when Timotheus drove up to the gate.  The children had been at their old game of the handkerchief, and Miss Carmichael was actually chasing Orther Lom, to their great glee, and to Coristine’s intense disgust.  Of course, they stopped when they saw the waggon and the Squire’s pale face.  The colonel, who had been smoking his morning cigar on the verandah, came forward rapidly, and, with Mr. Terry, helped the master of Bridesdale to alight.  Then, his wife and sister took the wounded man in charge, and led him into the house, for he was thoroughly dazed and incapable of attending to any business.  “If you will allow me, colonel,” said the lawyer, “I will take charge of legal matters in this case,” to which Colonel Morton answered, “Most cehtainly, my deah suh, no one moah competent.”

Maguffin had come round to see if his services would be required, and was appointed to mount guard over the prisoner in company with Timotheus.  To Mr. Terry the lawyer gave the heavy cash box, with orders to put it in a safe place in the Squire’s office.  Then, Coristine went up-stairs, washed and brushed away the traces of conflict, and knocked at Wilkinson’s door.  A lady’s voice told him to enter, and, on his complying with the invitation, he beheld Miss Du Plessis sitting by the bedside of his friend, with a book, which was not Wordsworth, in her hand.  “Please to pardon my intrusion, Miss Du Plessis; the Squire is hurt, and we have captured Grinstuns, who was not burnt up after all.  I must see the prisoner safely caged, and have other business to attend to, so that I have come to say good-bye.  I am sure that you will take every care of my dear friend here.”  After this little speech, hard to utter, the lawyer shook his friend by the well hand, saying:  “Good-bye, Wilks, old boy, and keep up your heart; any messages for town?” Before he had time to receive any such commissions, he shook hands warmly with the lady, and vanished.  Replacing Maguffin over Rawdon, he told him to saddle a horse, and bring it round.  His orders to Mr. Terry and Timotheus were to secure their prisoner between them in some lighter vehicle, and bring him with all speed to Collingwood, whither he would precede them on horseback.  He found the Squire in an easy chair in the sitting room with three lady attendants.  Shaking hands with the half-unconscious man, he assured him that