"Not Timothy Smith," said the elder sergeant lightly, as he adroitly fastened the handcuffs on his man.
"What's come of him?"
"He's in bed, as all decent people ought to be at this time o'night," and the sergeant laughed at his own wit.
The police carried their men off in triumph in the trap, and the wiry little pony, rejoiced to find his head turned homewards, trotted on right merrily, requiring neither whip nor word to urge him on to express speed, in total ignorance of the vindictive feelings that animated the breasts of three at least of the men seated behind him.
Major Price and his two sons remained till the morning, for Patty had broken down when all was over, and then a telegram summoned Colonel Bingham to return.
"I am not exactly surprised," he said at length, when he had heard the story; "something like this was bound to occur one day or other, and I cannot be too thankful that nothing has happened to injure my dear brave girl, or any of the household. Patty, I have felt so convinced of something dreadful happening during one of my unavoidable absences from home that I have made arrangements with an old friend of mine in town to lease this place to him for three years."
"And when does he come?" asked Patty breathlessly.
"Next month. He is going to make it a fishing- and shooting-box, and have bachelor friends to stay with him. So, my dear, we all clear out in a month's time."
Patty gave a long-drawn sigh. Her father did not know whether it was one of pleasure or regret.
"We can come back if we like after the three years," he whispered.