the whole assembly was arrested,
too--figuratively--and stood with eager gaze and open ears. Colonel
Bethel, quitting the scarlet-and-purple, flashed into those of the
yellows. He knew his nephew was graceless enough; but--to see him with a
pair of handcuffs on!

"What does all this mean?" he authoritatively demanded of the officers.

"It's no fault of ours, colonel, we have but executed the warrant,"
answered one of them. "The magistrate, issued it yesterday against these
two gentlemen, on suspicion of their being concerned in the murder of
Hallijohn."

"In conjunction with Richard Hare?" cried the astounded colonel, gazing
from one to the other, prisoners and officers, in scared bewilderment.

"It's alleged now that Richard Hare didn't have nothing to do with it,"
returned the man. "It's said he is innocent. I'm sure I don't know."

"I swear that I am innocent," passionately uttered Otway Bethel.

"Well, sir, you have only got to prove it," civilly rejoined the
policeman.

Miss Carlyle and Lady Isabel leaned from the window, their curiosity too
much excited to remain silent longer. Mrs. Hare was standing by their
side.

"What is the matter?" both asked of the upturned faces immediately
beneath.

"Them two--the fine member as wanted to be, and young Bethel--be
arrested for murder," spoke a man's clear voice in answer. "The tale
runs as they murdered Hallijohn, and then laid it on the shoulders of
young Dick Hare, who didn't do it after all."

A faint wailing cry of startled pain, and Barbara flew to Mrs. Hare,
from whom it proceeded.

"Oh, mamma, my dear mamma, take comfort! Do not suffer this to agitate
you to illness. Richard _is_ innocent, and it will surely be so proved.
Archibald," she added, beckoning to her husband in her alarm, "come, if
you can, and say a word of assurance to mamma!"

It was impossible that Mr. Carlyle could hear the words, but he could
see that his wife was greatly agitated, and wanted him.

"I will be back with you in a few moments," he said to his friends, as
he began to elbow his way through the crowd, which made way when they
saw who the elbower was.

Into another room, away from the gay visitors, they got Mrs. Hare, and
Mr. Carlyle locked the door to keep them out, unconsciously taking out
the key. Only himself and his wife were with her, except Madame Vine,
in her bonnet, who had been dispatched by somebody with a bottle of
smelling salts. Barbara knelt at her mamma's