"What have you got there?" he demanded.
"Jus' some ole things we've found," floated in William's dulcet tones from halfway upstairs.
"Crumbs!" said William upstairs, "I thought he was going to nab us."
"My sainted Aunt!" said William's father downstairs, "that boy's up to something again!"
******
William's father, however, soon forgot William. It was a perfect evening. Sabbath calm reigned supreme over the countryside. The trees were just beginning to turn from green to gold. The birds' song rang through the still evening air. As Mr. Brown walked along, a sense of peace and well-being descended upon him. He completely forgot William. Then, suddenly, he turned a bend in the road and saw a curious figure—so curious that Mr. Brown pinched himself to make sure he was awake. Sabbath calm ceased to reign supreme over the countryside and Mr. Brown's sense of peace deserted him. The figure was that of a hatless, wild-eyed young man, covered to the neck in soil, and bearing traces of it upon his face.
"I say," he began abruptly, "are you a resident of these parts?"
"Yes," admitted Mr. Brown, debating in his mind on the safest method of dealing with an escaped lunatic.
"I've been robbed. Some most valuable coins. Simply robbed in broad daylight."
"You'd better go to the police about it," said Mr. Brown soothingly. "Come with me. I'll show you the way."