“Hadn’t we better walk to the station with him, and explain to his officer?” said the lieutenant, mildly.

“No!” cried Dick, angrily; “we’ll make him understand here! Don’t be absurd, constable; this is a gentleman—”

“From London. I know!”

“Nonsense! he lives in Ratcham. It is only meant for a pleasant little surprise.”

“To find the plate gone, eh!”

“I tell you we were going to play a tune or two!”

“Then where’s your organ?”

“Absurd!”

“Fiddles, then?”

“Fiddles—nonsense! Here are our instruments.”