?" Mr. Sheridan hazarded.

"'Tis an unco thing," the constable declared, "but that wad be the word
was amaist at my tongue's tip."

"Why, undoubtedly," Mr. Sheridan assented. "I rejoice that, being of
French extraction, and unconversant with your somewhat cryptic patois,
the lady in question is the less likely to have been sickened by your
extravagances in the way of misapprehension. I candidly confess such
imbecility annoys me. What!" he cried out, "what if I marry! is
matrimony to be ranked with arson? And what if my cousin, Eiran,
affords me a hiding-place wherein to sneak through our honeymoon after
the cowardly fashion of all modern married couples! Am I in
consequence compelled to submit to the invasions of an intoxicated
constabulary?" His rage was terrific.

"_Voila la seule devise. Ils me connaissent, ils ont confidence dans
moi. Si, taisez-vous! Si non, vous serez arretee et mise dans la
prison, comme une caractere suspicieuse!_" Mr. Sheridan exhorted Miss
Ogle to this intent with more of earnestness than linguistic
perfection; and he rejoiced to see that instantly she caught at her one
chance of plausibly accounting for her presence at Bemerside, and of
effecting a rescue from this horrid situation.

"But I also spik the English," she sprightlily announced. "I am
appleed myself at to learn its by heart. Certainly you look for a
needle in a hay bundle, my gentlemans. I am no stealer of the grand
road, but the wife of Mistaire Sheridan, and her presence will say to
you the remains."

"You see!" cried Mr. Sheridan, in modest triumph. "In short, I am a
bridegroom unwarrantably interrupted in his first _tete-a-tete_, I am
responsible for this lady and all her past and its appurtenances; and,
in a phrase, for everything except the course of conduct I will
undoubtedly pursue should you be visible at the conclusion of the next
five minutes."

His emphasis was such that the police withdrew with a concomitant of
apologies.

"And now I claim my bond," said Mr. Sheridan, when they were once again
free from intrusion. "For we two are in Scotland, where the common
declaration of a man and woman that they are married constitutes a
marriage."

"Oh----!" she exclaimed, and stood encrimsoned.

"Indeed, I must confess that the day's work has been a trick
throughout. The diamond was pawned years ago. This trinket here is a
copy in paste and worth perhaps some seven shillings sixpence. And
those fe