“That young gent thinks so too.”

“Mr Macey? Absurd!”

“See how he jumped to it directly, sir.”

“Nonsense, man! Nonsense,” cried the rector. “Here, Macey, my dear boy, I suppose, as a man of peace, I must strive to convince this wrong-headed personage. Tell him that he is half mad.”

“For thinking Distin did it, sir?” replied Macey, slowly.

“Exactly—yes.”

“It wouldn’t be quite fair, sir, because I’m afraid I thought so, too.”

The constable gave his leg a slap.

“You—you dare to think that,” cried Distin.

“Hush! hush! hush!” said the rector, firmly. “Macey, my dear boy, what cause have you for thinking such a thing.”