e black depths of the
waggon.

"In the far corner. Thee canst not see him from here."

"I'll have him out in no time!" exclaimed the officer, springing into
the van, with the driver's hat and coat still in his hand.

"Not if I knows it, you old bloke!" cried the sometime Quaker, slamming
the door and turning the key with vicious enjoyment, while his three
companions, for Spotts had emerged from the wood, executed a war-dance
round the vehicle out of sheer joy and exultation. From within proceeded
a variety of curses and imprecations, while the Black Maria bounced upon
its springs as if a young elephant had gone mad inside.

Suddenly the Quaker laid a detaining hand upon Banborough's shoulder,
saying:

"Take care, boss; here come the cops! I'll play the leading role, and
you follow the cues."

They all paused and stood listening, while the rapid beat of a horse's
hoofs came to their ears, and a second later a Concord waggon, loaded
down with policemen, swung into view round the corner of the road, and
presently drew up beside them.

"Thee hast come in good time, friend," said the Quaker to the chief
officer. "We have watched thy prisoners overlong already."

"Where's the boss?" demanded the official.

"Dost thee mean the worldly man with the red face, much given to profane
speaking?"

"I guess that's him," laughed one of the subordinates.

"As I was returning from a meeting of the Friends with these good
people," pursued the Quaker, indicating his companions, "we came upon
this vehicle standing in the road, the horses being held by two men,
who, when they saw us, ran into the woods towards the river."

"How were they dressed?" asked the chief officer.

"One of them had garments like thine, friend."

"That's our man, sure!"

"Very presently," resumed the Quaker, "came thy master, using much
unseemly language, who, having heard our story, followed the men in the
direction we indicated, begging that we guard this carriage till you
came, and bidding us tell you to return with it to the town."

"Well, I guess the boss knows his own business best," said the leader of
the party; "so we'd better be getting back to the station. I suppose
you'll come and give your evidence."

"I am a man of peace," said the Quaker; "but if my testimony is required
I and my friends will walk behind thee to the next town and give it."

"It's only half a mile from here, a straight road--you can't miss it.
You'll be there as soo