and she said, being terrible trustful of you, that
nought would come between you and your duty. And so this here man thought
out a plan; and if the devil could have hit on a craftier, or yet a
harsher, I'd be surprised. But mark this, Samuel: he laid it afore Cicely
afore he done it. And such was her amazing woman's faith, she agreed to
it, because her love for you rose above all doubt. 'Twas a plant, my boy;
and if you'd let Mr. Green go his way, you'd have lost your future wife;
but because you've done your duty, you've got her; and may she always have
the rare belief in you she has to-night."

Still Sam found it hard to believe he was waking. But he done a sensible
thing and went to Inspector's private tap and poured himself four fingers.

"Here's luck," he said; and Chawner Green always told afterwards that it
was the first and last joke his son-in-law ever made.

'Twas he who spoke next.

"Now look at this pheasant," ordered Chawner; and the young man handled
the bird and found it stiff and cold.

"How long should you judge it had been dead?" inquired Mr. Green. "Anyway,
I'll tell you. Sis bought that creature at her sister's husband's fish and
poultry shop two days agone. You'll certainly make a policeman to talk
about, Sam; but I'm fearing you'll never rise to be a detective."

They went out together five minutes later, Sam to his beat and Green to
his home. And the elder was in a very human frame of mind, but Samuel
hadn't quite took it all in yet.

Then they came to the elder's house, and there was the girl at the gate
waiting for 'em as before.

"When she went in and banged the door, you thought she'd gone to weep,"
said Chawner; "but for two pins, Samuel, I'd have told you she was dancing
a fandango on the kitchen floor. 'Tis a very fine thing for a woman to
know her faith is so truly founded, and she's got the faith in you would
move mountains; and so have I; and you can wed when you've a mind to it."

So Chawner left 'em in each other's arms for five minutes, and then Samuel
went on his way.

A very happy marriage, and a week after they joined up, Chawner married a
new-made widow, which he had long ordained to do in secret; but she
wouldn't take him till a year and a day was passed.

And Samuel would often tell about his wife's faith in after-time and doubt
if the young men he saw growing up around him would have rose to such fine
heights as what he done.

But then Cicely would laugh at him an