“But I'd ought to secure the hoss,” said the constable, who felt that perhaps he might be entitled to the reward offered.
“Look here, Cyrus Stokes, you secure the thief—that's your lookout.”
“Gentlemen,” said Walter, “I object to being called a thief. I have already told you I did not steal the horse.”
The constable seized Walter by the arm and walked off with him. To add to his mortification, people whom they met on the street looked at him curiously.
CHAPTER XXXI
IN THE LOCKUP
The lockup was a basement room under the engine-house. There were four cells, about four by eight, and into one of these Walter was put. The cell opposite was occupied by a drunken tramp, who looked up stupidly as Walter entered, and hiccoughed: “Glad to see you sonny.”
“And I must stay in here overnight—with that man?”
“Hoss-stealers mustn't be particular,” said the constable.