ft him and
lay him upon that, and half-a-dozen take hold of the sides and try to
keep step, we can get him along."

"Yes, that's right," cried the doctor, superintending the lifting, which
drew a faint groan from Vane. "Poor lad!" he said; "but I'm glad to
hear that. Now then, better keep along this side of the stream till we
can cut across to the lane. Here, I want a good runner."

"I'll go," said Gilmore quickly.

"Yes, you," said the doctor, "go and tell my wife to have Vane's bed
ready. Say we have found him hurt, but not very badly."

"Why not take him to the rectory?" said Mr Syme. "It is nearer."

"Thank you, but I'll have him at home," said the doctor.

"One moment, gentlemen," said the first constable, book in hand. "I
want to know exactly where he was found."

"Here, man, here," cried the doctor. "Now then, lift him carefully, and
keep step. If I say stop, lower him directly."

"Yes, sir; go on," said the constable. "We must have a look round
before we come away. P'r'aps you'd stop along with us, Mr
Churchwarden, sir, and maybe one of you young gents would stay," he
continued, addressing Distin.

"Me--me stay!" said the lad starting, and flushing to his brow.

"Yes, sir. Young gents' eyes are sharp and see things sometimes."

"Yes, Distin, my dear boy," said the rector, "stop with them. You are
going to search?"

"Yes, sir. That young gent couldn't have got into that state all by
himself, and we want to find out who did it."

The man glanced sharply at Distin again as he spoke, and the young
Creole avoided his eye with the result that the constable made a note in
his book with a pencil which seemed to require wetting before it would
mark.

"I think," said the rector, "it is my duty to stay here, as this matter
is assuming a serious aspect."

"Thank ye, sir; I should be glad if you would," said the constable. "It
do begin to look serious."

"Joseph, run on after Dr Lee, and tell him why I am staying. Say that
he is to use the carriage at once if he wishes to send for help or
nurse. I shall not be very long."

Joseph ran off at a sharp trot after the departing group, and the
constable went slowly forward after carefully examining the ground where
Vane had been found.

"Keep back, everybody, please. Plenty of footprints here," he said,
"but all over, I'm afraid. Hah! Look here, sir," he continued,
pointing down at the loose sand and pebbles; "he crawled along here on
his