ll right, but they wasn't such blame fools as to stay
there when there was a way out up atop."

"The epper wey wes clowsed," said the detective.

"Was they burned alive then?"

"Yes, they were berned to eshes."

"O Lord!" ejaculated the prisoner, and then, wildly: "What do you want
along of me anyway?"

The magistrates and Mr. Bangs consulted, after which the doctor
answered: "We want information from you on three points: first, as to
the attempt of Rawdon's gang to burn this house; second, as to the
murder of Detective Nash; and, third, as to the whole secret of Rawdon's
business at the Select Encampment. You are not bound to incriminate
yourself, as every word of this preliminary examination may be used
against you, but, on the other hand, if you make a clean breast of what
you know on these questions, your confession will go a long way in your
favour with judge and jury."

"Suppose'n I don't confess not a syllabub?"

"Then, we shall commit you, all the same, to the County Gaol, to stand
your trial at the assizes."

"That's all right, I'll stand my durned trile. You don't get nawthin
out'n me, you misable, interferin', ornary, bushwhackin' jedges!"

"Don't strike him, Rigby!" commanded Carruthers; for the constable,
shocked and outraged by such indecorous language in a court of justice,
was about to club his man. Then he added: "The colonel's servant,
Maguffin, is going to town on business, and will drive you so far, and
help to guard your prisoner. You can tie him up as tight as you like,
without being cruel or doing him an injury. We shall have to do without
you at the inquest."

Accordingly, while Mr. Maguffin brought round a suitable vehicle, and
received his commissions from the colonel, the commitment papers were
made out, and Constable Rigby securely fastened the worst criminal that
had ever come into his hands. The said criminal did a little hard
swearing, which called the long unused baton into active service. Davis
was quiet and sullen when the buggy, under the pensioner's command,
wheeled away in search of connections for the County Gaol.

The two bodies were still lying in their shells, with ice about them, in
the unfinished annex of the post office. It was, therefore, decided to
hold the new inquest in the Bridesdale coach house, as also more
convenient for the doctor, whose sprain might have been aggravated by
driving. While Ben Toner was sent with a waggon to the Richards, to
bring the gha