“Sedition!” cried Kearns, with a guffaw; “sedition, eh? And by what authority, pray?”
The squint in the man’s eyes became more pronounced. He made a signal to his companion at the door. The man in uniform laid his hand upon the Professor’s arm.
“By what authority?” again demanded Kearns.
The man threw back his coat and displayed a resplendent badge. Then came the answer to Kearns’ question:
“In the name of the King!”
CHAPTER III
A STRANGE REVELATION
“In the name of the King!” cried Kearns, half indignantly, half amused. “I’m sure I don’t understand what you’re driving at; but from that badge I take it you represent the Law, and the Law I am always willing to obey. I’ll go with you; but I warn you, you’ll suffer for this work!”
The two men made no reply to this threat, but placing themselves on either side of him they marched out of the place, followed by the man in uniform, with Dean in charge. As they passed along the street, several loiterers and a number of small boys followed in their wake. The prisoners seemed to arouse the greatest curiosity.
Their captors hurried them along at a rapid gait to a neat stone building, with two imposing green lamps outside. Up a short flight of stone steps the prisoners were hustled and into a spacious room, where behind a large desk sat a man in uniform. Before the desk the party lined up.
“Is this the Sergeant?” asked Kearns, surveying curiously the official uniform.