[CHAPTER XIII]
A SHOCK FOR MR. ANDREWS
A FEW days after Mrs. Murray's walk to Brading's stores, as Arthur was on his way there in the morning, a respectable-looking man touched him on the shoulder and said, rather sharply, "Your name is Arthur Murray, I think?"
"Yes," answered Arthur, "but if you want to speak to me, I must ask you to walk my way, for I am in a hurry this morning."
"Plenty of time, young man. You are going to Brading's, I suppose? But they must wait, for you are my prisoner."
And as he spoke, he laid his hand upon Arthur's shoulder in a fashion that was more energetic than pleasant.
"What do you mean?" demanded Arthur, stopping short and facing round to the man.
"Oh, it's all regular! I have got the warrant here. It's for a cheque and a letter."
"There must be some mistake about this!" And Arthur looked up into the man's face so fearlessly and frankly that, instead of slipping the handcuffs on him as he had intended, he said:
"Well, now, look here. You go with me to the station quietly, and I dare say it can soon be put right, if you know you haven't handled it. But if you try any monkey tricks with me, why, I've got the bracelets here, and I'll soon have them on you."