course."

"And you understand what will follow?"

Distin bowed as he drew his breath hard through his teeth.

"You will not be able to stop at the rectory even if that busybody Bates
doesn't carry it over to the magistrates."

"I know everything," said Distin, firmly, and he drew a long breath now
of relief. "I am set upon it, even if I never hold up my head again."

"All right," said Vane in his peculiar, hard, stubborn way. "You've
made up your mind; then I've made up mine."

"What do you mean?" said Distin.

"Wait and see," said Vane, shortly.

"But I wish to get it over."

"I know you do. But you're all right. Look at me, I can't see, but
expect my face is all puffy; and look at my knuckles. These fellows
have got heads like wood."

"I am sorry, very sorry," said Distin, sadly; "but I want to make all
the reparation I can."

"Give me that handkerchief," said Vane sharply; and he snatched it from
Distin's hand. "No, no, keep back. I'll do what there is to do.
They're not fit to touch. Ah, would you!"

The top boy had suddenly thrown up his head in an effort to free
himself. But his forehead came in contact with Vane's fist and he
dropped back with a groan.

"Hurt, did it!" said Vane, bending down, and whispering a few words.
Then aloud, as he rose. "Now, then, get up and let me tie your hands
behind you."

The lad rose slowly and painfully.

"Turn round and put your hands behind you," cried Vane.

The lad obeyed, and then as if shot from a bow he leaped over his
prostrate brother with a loud whoop and dashed off among the trees.

"No, no, it's of no use," cried Vane as Distin started in pursuit; "you
might just as well try to catch a hare. Now you, sir, up with you."

The second lad rose, groaning as if lame and helpless, turning his eyes
piteously upon his captor; and then, quick as lightning, he too started
off.

"Loo, loo, loo!" shouted Vane, clapping his hands as if cheering on a
greyhound. "I say, Distie, how the beggars can run."

A defiant shout answered him, and Vane clapped his hands to his mouth
and yelled:

"Po-lice--if you ever come again."

"Yah!" came back from the wood, and Distin cried, angrily:

"You let them go on purpose."

"Of course I did," said Vane. "Here's your handkerchief. You don't
suppose I would take them up, and hand them over to the police, and let
you lower yourself like you said, do you?"

"Yes--yes," cried Distin, speaking like a hysteri