took the constable and his prisoners away towards his own
house, which was on the road to their destination. The Squire and his
battalion were much relieved to find that they were not responsible for
Harding's death, although the fact reflected on their aim as
sharpshooters. The two wounded men were informed that a magistrates'
court was sitting, but evinced no anxiety to lodge a complaint against
any person or persons in connection with their injuries. The coroner
paid Messrs. Johnson and Pawkins their fee as jurymen, and, with the
Squire's permission, invited them to dine at Bridesdale; but they
declined the invitation with thanks, and returned, in company, to the
bosom of their families. The lawyer, filled with military zeal as a
recruiting officer, seeing that the new Beaver River contingent was
armed, asked Carruthers if he had room for them.

"The mair the merrier," answered the Squire, and bade him invite them.
So Coristine invited the three to dinner, and to help in the support of
the justices in the afternoon. Barney Sullivan said he wasn't going to
leave Ben. Mr. Bigglethorpe, as a fisherman, had always wanted to see
these lakes, and, if it would help the cause of good fishing, he was
ready to lend a hand to drive out poachers and pot-hunters. Pierre
doubted how Madame would take his absence; of course there was Bawtiste,
but, well yes, for the sake of the poor dead M'syae Nash and Meestare
Veelkeenson, he would stay. Que dommage, Meestare Bulky was not there, a
man so intelligent, so clever, so subtle of mind! Mr. Bigglethorpe was
introduced to the drawing-room, but Pierre, though invited, would not
enter its sacred precincts. He accompanied Barney to the kitchen, and
was introduced by Ben to the assembled company. His politeness carried
the servants' quarters by storm, and wreathed the faces of Tryphena and
Tryphosa in perpetual smiles. Mr. Hill and the Sesayder succumbed to his
genial influence, and even the disheartened Maguffin, though deploring
his poor English and lack of standing colour, confessed to Rufus that
"his ways was kind o' takin'."

"Squire Carruthers," said the detective, as they re-entered the office,
"there is wen thing you failed to have den at the inquest."

"What is that, Mr. Bangs?"

"To search the bedy of the men, Herding; bet I attended to thet, and
found pore Nesh's letter to his sister. Pore Nesh mest hev lost his head
for wence, since he trested thet dem villain. I seppowse th