“Yes,” answered the Colonel. “He is the Imperial and Royal Commissioner of Highways, and the best man for the post we have ever had! How did you come to know of him?”
“I saw him stuck up on the sign-board,” said Kearns absently.
“Stuck up on the sign-board!” exclaimed the Colonel, somewhat puzzled.
“Yes; his name was signed to the notice to travelers,” explained Kearns.
“Oh, I see!” replied the Colonel.
“Well,” said Kearns regretfully, “I’m rather sorry to learn about the retirement of the horses. I was always very fond of them.”
“You will find a good phaeromobile much more effective,” answered the Colonel with a smile. “But,” he continued turning to the Doctor, “I must continue my story. I followed our two friends along their course and the trail they had left was a pretty broad one. I finally traced them to the station-house.”
“The station-house!” exclaimed the Doctor.
“Yes,” answered the Colonel; “there on a charge of seditious utterances—in the position of conspirators against the peace and dignity of His Majesty, the King.”
The Doctor laughed.