Bowing hastily to the ladies, he said impatiently to the officer:
"It seems to me you're deef."
"Why so?"
"I've been chasing and yelling after you for half a mile, but you either pretended you didn't hear me or maybe you didn't."
"I assure you, Archie, that I would have stopped on the first call, if I had heard you, for you know how glad I am always to have your company, and how little we could have done without your help."
The detective knew how to mollify the fussy constable, whose face flushed a still brighter red, under the compliments of his employer, as he may be termed.
"I knowed you was coming here," explained Archie, "and so I come along, so as to vouch to these ladies for you."
"You are very kind, but they seem to be satisfied with Master Fred's indorsement, for he has the reputation of being a truthful lad."
"I'm glad to hear it; how far, may I ask," he continued, clearing his throat, "have you progressed in the settlement of the various questions and complications arising from the nefarious transaction on Monday evening last?"
"The plate has been returned to the ladies, as your eyes must have told you; but, since this is the first day of the week, the reward will not be handed over to Fred until to-morrow morning.