r explanations later on," returned the actor.
"We're not out of the woods yet."

"Of course we aren't, stupid! Any one can see that."

"Metaphorically, he means," said Cecil. "But, joking apart, this Black
Maria is, so to speak _particeps criminis_, and the sooner we lose it
the better."

"Which way shall we go?" she asked.

"Oh, that's been all arranged beforehand with the other members of the
party," said Spotts, purposely omitting to mention their destination in
the presence of their undesirable companion. "It can't be more than a
mile or two across country to the Hudson River Railroad, and we'd better
make for the nearest station. Do you feel up to walking?"

"Do I feel up to walking!" she exclaimed. "Well, if you'd been chucked
round for an hour without being consulted, I guess you'd feel like doing
a little locomotion on your own account." And without another word the
three turned to get their belongings.

"Say," interjected the tramp, "where do I come in?"

"Oh, but you don't," said Spotts. "We're going to leave you this
beautiful carriage and pair with our blessing. Better take a drive in
the country and enjoy the fresh air."

"Yah!" snarled the disreputable one in reply. "That don't go! It's too
thin! Why, look here, boss," he continued, addressing Banborough, "you
went and 'scaped with me without so much as sayin' by your leave, and
now, when you've gone and laid me open to extra time for evadin' of my
penalty, you've got the cheek to propose to leave me alone in a cold
world with _that_!" And he pointed expressively at the Black Maria.

"It is rather hard lines," admitted Cecil. "But, you see, it would never
do to have you with us, my man. Why, your clothes would give us away
directly."

"And I'll give yer away directly to the cops if you don't take me
along."

Banborough and Spotts looked at each other in redoubled perplexity.

"You see," continued the anarchist, "I don't go for to blow on no blokes
as has stood by me as youse has, but it's sink or swim together.
Besides, you'd get lost in this country in no time, while I knows it
well. Why, I burgled here as a boy."

"What's to be done?" asked Cecil.

"Oh, I suppose we've got to take him along," replied the actor. "We're
all in the same boat, if it comes to that."

"Now if youse gents," suggested the tramp, "could find an extra pair of
pants between you, this coat and hat would suit me down to the ground."
And he laid a dirty paw on Banbo