"Half stunned him," repeated Ferdy, "that's not quite the same as half killing him. Have you sent him to the hospital?"
"Well no, sir," said the constable, "he come to again—them boys has nine lives more than cats. I don't suppose he's really much the worse. But these Draymoor fights must be put a stop to, they're getting worse and worse; I've had orders to that effect," drawing himself up.
"And has Jesse Piggot been mixed up with them lately?" said Ferdy severely.
Again the constable looked rather small.
"Well no, sir," he repeated, "but what does that matter, if he's been the offender to-day."
This was true enough.
"But what do you want me to do?" asked Ferdy.
"To detain the lad if he comes here and give him up to the lawful authorities," said Brownrigg more fluently. "Everybody knows you've been very kind to him, but it's no true kindness to screen him from the punishment he deserves."
A new idea struck Ferdy.