“What be going to do wi’ him?” inquired Ashbrook.

“Take him before a magistrate,” was the prompt answer.

“Ah, that be best. What be he charged wi’?”

“With forgery.”

“Oh, that be all, eh?”

“Yes, and quite enough too. I am greatly beholden to you, Mr. Ashbrook, for the service you have rendered me, for without your assistance I should have hardly known what to have done.”

“You’re quite welcome, Todd, quite welcome. I be glad I coom up in the nick of time, seeing as how it might ha’ gone hard wi’ ee. But ye’re a brave fellow and stuck to your man like a Briton, and I shall just let un know how gallantly ye behaved.”

“I am sure I dont deserve this praise. I merely strove to do my duty.”

“An ye’ve done it right well. As to this young varmint the sooner he’s lagged the better, for he be a rank bad un.”

“Do you know him, sir?”