to
consult, so he pushed on, and, soon reaching one of the principal
thoroughfares, walked at a more leisurely pace. As he went along he was
deeply perplexed as to what course he ought to pursue, and while
meditating on the subject, he stopped almost unintentionally in front of
a brilliantly lighted window, in which were hanging a rich assortment of
watches, gold chains, and specimens of jewellery.

The gentlemanly house-breaker, who had followed him up, observed this.
A sudden thought flashed across his mind, and he at once acted upon it.
Stepping quickly up to Kenneth's side he stumbled violently against him,
at the same time smashed a pane of glass in the shop-window with his
gloved hand, turned quickly round, seized Kenneth by the collar, and
shouted "Thief! help!" at the full pitch of his voice.

The red-haired and bearded accomplices at once responded to the call,
came up behind, and also collared him, while a policeman, who chanced to
be passing at the moment, seized him in front. The shopman ran out in a
frantic state, and at once swore that he was the man, for he had seen
him looking through the window a moment before. The whole scene passed
in a few seconds, and Kenneth, thoroughly taken by surprise, stood in
motionless and speechless amazement.

It is said, and apparently with truth, that thought flashes through the
mind more rapidly than lightning darts through the sky. Kenneth had
only a few moments to think, for the policeman was applying that gentle
force to his collar which was meant as a polite hint to "come along"
quietly, else stronger force should be applied; yet, before he had taken
the first step towards the police-office, the extreme awkwardness of his
position was fully impressed on him.

He perceived that he should certainly be locked up for the night and
brought before a magistrate next morning, and that, although his
accusers would of course not appear against him, and his friends would
be there to testify to his character and get him off, the consequence
would be that the burglars would be able to start by the nine o'clock
train and accomplish their purpose while he was in jail. It did occur
to him that he could warn the authorities, but he feared that they might
refuse to believe or act upon the statements of a supposed thief.

The occasion was not a favourable one to correct or clear reasoning
however, and as the policeman had applied a second persuasive pull to
his collar, he sud