"I have," said Shawn.

"Well, if he talks any more hit him with your baton."

"I will so," said Shawn.

"There's a speck of light down yonder, and, maybe, it's a candle in a
window--we'll ask the way at that place."

In about three minutes they came to a small house which was overhung
by trees. If the light had not been visible they would undoubtedly have
passed it in the darkness. As they approached the door the sound of a
female voice came to them scoldingly.

"There's somebody up anyhow," said the sergeant, and he tapped at the
door.

The scolding voice ceased instantly. After a few seconds he tapped
again; then a voice was heard from just behind the door.

"Tomas," said the voice, "go and bring up the two dogs with you before I
take the door off the chain."

The door was then opened a few inches and a face peered out "What would
you be wanting at this hour of the night?" said the woman.

"Not much, ma'am," said the sergeant; "only a little direction about the
road, for we are not sure whether we've gone too far or not far enough."

The woman noticed their uniforms.

"Is it policemen ye are? There's no harm in your coming in, I suppose,
and if a drink of milk is any good to ye I have plenty of it."

"Milk's better than nothing," said the sergeant with a sigh.

"I've a little sup of spirits," said she, "but it wouldn't be enough to
go around."

"Ah, well," said he, looking sternly at his comrades, "everybody has to
take their chance in this world," and he stepped into the house followed
by his men.

The women gave him a little sup of whisky from a bottle, and to each of
the other men she gave a cup of milk.

"It'll wash the dust out of our gullets, anyhow," said one of them.

There were two chairs, a bed, and a table in the room. The Philosopher
and his attendants sat on the bed. The sergeant sat on the table,
the fourth man took a chair, and the woman dropped wearily into the
remaining chair from which she looked with pity at the prisoner.

"What are you taking the poor man away for?" she asked.

"He's a bad one, ma'am," said the sergeant. "He killed a man and a woman
that were staying with him and he buried their corpses underneath the
hearthstone of his house. He's a real malefactor, mind you."

"Is it hanging him you'll be, God help us?"

"You never know, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it came to
that. But you were in trouble yourself, ma'am, for we heard your voice
lamenting abou