n as we want you."

The Quaker nodded.

"Then we'd better be moving," said the chief officer. "I'll drive Maria,
and you fellows go ahead in the cart."

The remarks which were now proceeding from the interior of that vehicle
were much too dreadful to record. But as it was about to start, the man
of peace, lifting his hands, checked the driver and said:

"I will, with thy permission, approach the grating and speak a word of
counsel." And going to the door, he said in a loud voice:

"Peace, friend. Remember what the good Benjamin Franklin has said: 'He
that speaks much is much mistaken.'"

The reply elicited by these remarks was of such a nature that Miss
Arminster was obliged to put her hands over her ears, and the police
drove off with loud guffaws, enjoying immensely the good Quaker's
confusion.

"That bloke," remarked the tramp, as the Black Maria disappeared in a
cloud of dust, "give me three months once, an' I feels better."

And without another word he led the party across the road and into the
woods in the direction of the river.

CHAPTER V.

IN WHICH THE PARTY RECEIVES A NEW IMPETUS.

An hour later, when the little party of four, weary and dusty, walked up
to the hotel at Yonkers, they perceived Tybalt Smith in his
shirt-sleeves, with his hat tipped over his eyes as a protection from
the rays of the declining sun, lying fast asleep in a large garden chair
which was tilted back on its hind legs against the side of the house.
Spotts lost no time in poking him in the ribs with his cane, whereupon
the tragedian, rousing himself from slumber, hastily assumed a more
upright position, bringing the chair down on its front legs with a bang.
Having thus been fully awakened, he became at once the master of the
situation.

"We are here," he said.

"So I see," replied Spotts, "and a pretty show you've made of yourself.
There's nothing private or retiring about your methods. Now where are
the rest of the party?"

Mr. Smith at once assumed an air of mysterious solemnity.

"Mrs. Mackintosh," he said in a stage whisper, "is above. I reserved an
apartment for her and the Leop--Miss Arminster, I mean, and a private
sitting-room for us all. Mrs. Mackintosh is disturbed. Mrs. Mackintosh
requires an explanation. Mrs. Mackintosh," turning to Banborough, "is a
woman of great character, of great force, and she requires an
explanation of _you_!"

"Ha!" said Spotts, casting a look of mock commiseration at the