o something
that you will regret. You have taught Ben a severe lesson, and one he
thoroughly deserved. But do not lay hands upon a Justice of the Peace.
He can be dealt with in another way."

"How?" asked one of the men.

"I have just come from the city," Douglas explained, "where I have been
in consultation with one of the ablest lawyers there. He is a special
friend of mine, and he will be here to-morrow. He will deal with
Squire Hawkins far more effectively than we can."

"Who is he?" several asked.

"Charles Garton, head of the firm of Garton & Tracey. I think you all
have heard of him. It was he who rounded up that bunch of Government
grafters last year and forced them to disgorge their ill-gotten gains."

"Sure, sure, we know him," was the cry. "Hurrah for Garton! He'll
settle with Hen Hawkins all right."

Seeing that his words were having the desired effect and that the crowd
was slowly dispersing, Douglas turned to Jake and told him to come
home. Without a word the latter obeyed, and together the two crossed
the field to the main road. Once there, Jake's tongue became
unloosened.

"Where did ye drop from, John!" he asked. "I didn't know ye was
anywhere around."

"I came from the city on the afternoon train, and when your wife told
me what was going on, I hurried to the wharf as fast as possible."

"An' did ye see it all?"

"Only the dip in the frog-pond, but I could easily guess the rest."

Douglas did not go home with Jake, but parted from him at the road
leading to the professor's house. He wished to see Nell, as he had
many things to tell her.

He received a hearty welcome, and felt very much at home as he sat by
the professor's side and told him about his visit to the city, and of
his return to Rixton just in time to see Ben's plunge into the
frog-pond.

Nell's face grew white and a startled expression came into her eyes as
Douglas related what the men of the place had done that night. Her
concern was not for Ben, but for those responsible for his punishment.
She felt sure that Simon Stubbles would take some speedy method of
revenge, and that the first object of his attack would be the man
sitting near her father. She wished to warn him of his danger. But
how could she speak and not reveal her keen interest in his welfare?

"Have you had any supper?" she asked so suddenly that Douglas looked
somewhat surprised.

"No, I have not had time to think of eating," he replied.

"