Drusilla laughed rather shakily.
"I'm afraid, Daphne, this is a case for your father. I've arrested the wrong man."
"What do you mean?" said Mr. Thornton quickly.
"I've got a preacher in jail—or he was there unless Joseph can git him to come with him."
Then she told the whole story. Mr. Thornton could not keep a twinkle from his eyes as he listened. But he did not laugh; he saw that Drusilla was too frightened and upset.
"Now what am I goin' to do?" Drusilla finished. "You must get me out of this."
The lawyer thought a moment.
"The man wanted some money for some children, or the poor of his parish. Perhaps we can arrange it. Money is a balm that'll soothe most outraged feelings."
"Give him anything, anything!" Drusilla hegged. "I never thought I'd arrest a preacher, and at my time of life. Poor man, and his name was Algernon, too!"
A very angry man was brought into the room, and was met by a courteous lawyer; but Drusilla brushed him aside and went up to the man and, laying her hand on his arm looked up into his face appealingly.