"You may just call it what you please, Mr. Pownal," answered Basset, indignant at being interfered with, as he called it, in the discharge of his duty, "and I advise you not to git your fingers catched in the law; but if you must know, the justice, I guess, will tell you."
"Keep your advice until it is asked for," said Pownal; "but before what justice are you taking him?"
"If you come with us, you'll find out," answered Basset, whose ill nature seemed to increase.
"That I certainly will. I must leave you," said Pownal, turning to the ladies, "to see that this brutal fellow behaves himself."
"Do," cried Faith; "do not let them insult him."
"Let us go with him," said the impulsive Anne.
"You would make a fine appearance in a justice court," said her brother "No, I will see you home, and afterwards join Pownal."
But an occurrence now happened which made any such arrangement unnecessary. Tom Gladding, who all this while had been quietly whittling out his chain and listening to the conversation, here interposed:
"Basset," he said, "you hain't showed your warrant."
"It's all safe enough," cried the constable, striking his hand on his pocket.