Mr. Juxon stared at the vicar for a moment in surprise, and then broke into a hearty laugh. "My life!" he cried. "Upon my word, the fellow does not know what he is talking about! Do you mean to say that this escaped convict, who can be arrested at sight wherever he is found, imagines that he could attack me in broad daylight without being caught?" "Well, no, I suppose not--but you often walk home at night, Mr. Juxon--alone through the park." "I think that dog of mine could manage Mr. Goddard," remarked the squire calmly. "And pray, Mr. Ambrose, now that we know that the man is in the neighbourhood, what is to prevent us from finding him?" "We do not know where he is," replied the vicar, thanking the inspiration which had prevented him from asking Mrs. Goddard more questions. He had promised to save Goddard, too, or at least not to facilitate his capture. But though he was glad to be able to say honestly that he did not know where he was, he began to doubt whether in the eyes of the law he was acting rightly. "You do not know?" asked the squire. "No; and besides I think--perhaps--we ought to consider poor Mrs. Goddard's position." "Mrs. Goddard's position!" exclaimed Mr. Juxon almost angrily. "And who should consider her position more than I, Mr. Ambrose? My dear sir, I consider her position before all things--of course I do. But nothing could be of greater advantage to her position than the certainty that her husband is safely lodged in prison. I cannot imagine how he contrived to escape--can you?" "No, I cannot," answered Mr. Ambrose, thrusting his hands into his pockets and biting his long upper lip. "By the bye, did the fellow happen to say why he meant to lay violent hands on me?" inquired Mr. Juxon. "Since you ask--he did. It appears that he saw you going into the cottage, and immediately became jealous--" "Of me?" Mr. Juxon coloured a little beneath his bronzed complexion, and grew more angry. "Well, upon my word! But if that is true I am much obliged for your warning. Fellows of that sort never reason--he will very likely attack me as you say. It will be quite the last time he attacks anybody--the devil shall have his own, Mr. Ambrose, if I can help him to it--" "Dear me! Mr. Juxon--you surprise me," said the vicar, who had never heard his friend use such strong language before. "It is enough to surprise anybody," remarked the squire. "I trust we shall surprise Mr. Goddard before night. Excuse me, but when did he express his amiable intentions towards me?" "Last night, I believe," replied Mr. Ambrose, reluctantly. "And when did he see me going into the cottage?" "Yesterday afternoon, I believe." The vicar felt as though he were beginning to break his promise of shielding the fugitive, but he could not refuse to answer a direct question. "Then, when he saw me, he was either in the cottage or in the park. There was no one in the road, I am quite sure."