e made myself responsible, in a way, for
Northwick's getting off; but there was really nothing to do but to give
him the chance he asked for. His having abused it won't change that fact
at all; but I can't conceal from myself that I half-expected him to
abuse it."

He put this tentatively, and his son responded, "I suppose that
naturally inclines you to suppose he'll run away."

"Yes."

"But your supposition doesn't establish the fact."

"No. But the question is whether it doesn't oblige me to act as if it
had; whether I oughtn't, if I've got this suspicion, to take some steps
at once to find out whether Northwick's really gone or not, and to mix
myself actively up in the catchpole business of his pursuit, after I
promised him he shouldn't be shadowed in any way till his three days
were over."

"It's a nice question," said Matt, "or rather, it's a nasty one. Still,
you've only got your fears for evidence, and you must all have had your
fears before. I don't think that even a bad conscience ought to hurry
one into the catchpole business." Matt laughed again with that fondness
he had for his father. "Though as for any peculiar disgrace in
catchpoles as catchpoles, I don't see it. They're a necessary part of
the administration of justice, as we understand it, and have it; and I
don't see how a detective who arrests, say, a murderer, is not as
respectably employed as the judge who sentences him, or the hangman who
puts the rope round his neck. The distinction we make between them is
one of those tricks for shirking responsibility which are practised in
every part of the system. Not that I want you to turn catchpole. It's
all so sorrowful and sickening that I wish you hadn't any duty at all in
the matter. I suppose you feel at least that you ought to let the Board
know that you have your misgivings?"

"Yes," said Hilary, ruefully, with his double chin on his breast, "I
felt like doing it at once; but there was my word to _him_! And I wanted
to talk with you."

"It was just as well to let them have their night's rest. There isn't
really anything to be done." Matt rose from the low chair where he had
been sprawling, and stretched his stalwart arms abroad. "If the man was
going he's gone past recall by this time; and if he isn't gone, there's
no immediate cause for anxiety."

"Then you wouldn't do anything at present?"

"I certainly shouldn't. What could you do?"

"Yes, it might as well all go till morning, I suppo