And Mr. Constable indulged in a chuckle which irritated the farmer intensely. He resolved to retaliate.
"Do you know where I am goin', Spriggins?" he asked.
"No."
"Then I'll tell you," answered Tarbox, with a malicious smile. "I'm goin' to Squire Price to get another warrant for the arrest of Anak—I've found out that that's his name—and I'm goin' to get you to serve it."
The constable's countenance changed. "Don't be foolish, Mr. Tarbox," he said.
"I understand my business, Spriggins, and I shall expect you to do yours. I'll see you again in half an hour."
"I may not be at home; I expect I've got to go over to Medville."
"Then put it off. Your duty to the State is ahead of all private business."
He went on his way leaving Mr. Spriggins in a very uneasy frame of mind. When he went home to supper, he said to his wife: "Mrs. S., after supper I'm going up into the attic, and if Nathan Tarbox comes round and asks for me, you say that I'm out of town."