r's exertions--hence the extreme warmth of
your--ah--filial regard."

"She also shielded me from a father's brutality, sir."

"Hence, Joseph, as I say, the ardour of your regard for her. 'Tis
strange to find that even in the basest, most depraved natures the
softer qualities of gratitude and love may occasionally be remarked by
the philosophical observer, a fact sufficiently strange and
interesting!" Joseph's wolverine mouth twitched and he lifted his gaze
slowly as high as the top of the hedge and kept it there. "Your first
noteworthy exploit," continued Mr. Dalroyd good-humouredly, "was the
forgery of a bill----"

"Sir--sir," stammered Joseph, glance abased to the dust again, "pray
why must you----"

"My good Object, I would see that I have the facts sufficiently clear.
To begin again, you forged a bill on one Hilary Girard, he, discovering
your criminality, taxed you with the fact, whereafter poor Mr. Girard
suddenly died--misfortunate wight! Lead poisoning was it, or powdered
glass?" Joseph uttered a sound between a choke and a groan. "Nay,
after all, 'tis no matter which," continued Mr. Dalroyd, "suffice
it--he died. Thereafter you took to the highway, became famous for
your daring, were finally betrayed by a jealous beauty, were sentenced
to hang, escaped on a legal quibble, and were cast for transportation,
effected your escape and--Fortune sent you to me and I give you life,
Joseph, and a certain amount of freedom so long as you are of use to
me."

Joseph's mouth had become a twisted line and he moved in his saddle as
if undergoing some sharp, physical discomfort, while Mr. Dalroyd lapsed
into pleasant reverie as they rode on through the warm and fragrant air.

They held a course south-easterly staying only to change horses at the
various stages where Joseph, acting on his master's instructions,
ordered post-horses to be in readiness three nights hence. Towards
late afternoon Mr. Dalroyd halted at Tenterden for refreshment; after
an excellent meal he sauntered out into the yard and summoned Joseph,
but without avail, the obsequious Joseph was not to be found. Mr.
Dalroyd's modish languor changed to a sudden cold ferocity before which
ostlers, post-boys and stablemen quailed; within five minutes he had
roused the whole place and set everyone searching, from host to
pot-boy. Every hiding-place, likely and unlikely, was ransacked, the
inn, the stable and scattered outbuildings, but to no end, Josep