used to say so also, till the Mayor
trounced two or three people so roundly that they held their tongues for
the future?"

"Not all that, but I said that silly people had believed me to be the
Sunchild's son, and what a disgrace I should hold it to be son to such an
impostor."

"What did he say to this?"

"He asked whether I should feel the disgrace less if Higgs were to undo
the mischief he had caused by coming back and shewing himself to the
people for what he was. But he said it would be no use for him to do so,
inasmuch as people would kill him but would not believe him."

"And you said?"

"Let him come back, speak out, and chance what might befall him. In that
case, I should honour him, father or no father."

"And he?"

"He asked if that would be a bargain; and when I said it would, he
grasped me warmly by the hand on Higgs's behalf--though what it could
matter to him passes my comprehension."

"But he saw that even though Higgs were to shew himself and say who he
was, it would mean death to himself and no good to any one else?"

"Perfectly."

"Then he can have meant nothing by shaking hands with you. It was an
idle jest. And now for your poachers. You do not know who they were? I
will tell you. The two who sat on the one side the fire were Professors
Hanky and Panky from the City of the People who are above Suspicion."

"No," said George vehemently. "Impossible."

"Yes, my dear boy, quite possible, and whether possible or impossible,
assuredly true."

"And the third man?"

"The third man was dressed in the old costume. He was in possession of
several brace of birds. The Professors vowed they had not eaten any--"

"Oh yes, but they had," blurted out George.

"Of course they had, my dear; and a good thing too. Let us return to the
man in the old costume."

"That is puzzling. Who did he say he was?"

"He said he was one of your men; that you had instructed him to provide
you with three dozen quails for Sunday; and that you let your men wear
the old costume if they had any of it left, provided--"

This was too much for George; he started to his feet. "What, my dearest
mother, does all this mean? You have been playing with me all through.
What is coming?"

"A very little more, and you shall hear. This man staid with the
Professors till nearly midnight, and then left them on the plea that he
would finish the night in the Ranger's shelter--"

"Ranger's shelter, indeed! Why--"