"Well, all we’ve to do at present is to keep Smail and Noakes out till the farmer gets back. From what I make of it, Trenchard still has a few days’ grace before his debt to Noakes becomes due, and anything may happen in that time." *III* They kept a close watch on the house all the rest of the day. At night all the doors and windows were bolted, and Eves took turns with Templeton to mount guard. The latter was by no means sure of the legal position; it might be that he was mistaken, and that a forcible entry would not be a breach of the law. The night was undisturbed, and next morning Eves, leaving Templeton to keep watch, went down to the village to consult Constable Haylock. "Can a bailiff, or whatever you call him, force his way into a house?" he asked, meeting the constable near the bridge. "Well now, that’s queer, danged if it bain’t," said the constable. "I’ve been axed that very same question a’ready this morning. It do seem there’s debts and executions in the wind, and folks come to me, as stands for law and justice, to know their true rights." "They couldn’t come to a better man, I’m sure," said Eves. "Was it old Noakes who asked you?" "Now, sir, if you axe me to tell state secrets, I couldn’t do it—no, not for a judge or royal highness. I name no names; but I’ll tell ’ee what I said to them as axed me, that being law for rich and poor. ’Force yer way in,’ says I, ’and you would be imprisoned without the auction o’ fine, ’cos the judge med bring it in housebreaking, or burglary if by night. But there be other roads to market,’ says I. ’If so be you comes up quiet and finds some out-o’-the-way door as bain’t the high road, so to speak it, into the house, and gets yer foot inside—well, there ’tis; if those inside tries to get yer foot out ’tis assault and battery, and the fine forty shilling.’ That’s what I said, and I make no boast, but I defy any man to give ’ee better law nor that, I don’t care who the man is." "By Jove! you’re Solomon and Daniel rolled up together," said Eves. "You’re a treasure, constable. By the way, don’t say I asked about it. I’m rather hard up myself, but Mr. Templeton——" "Not a word, sir, not a word. Maybe I’ll meet yer friend up along one o’ these days; he’s a gentleman and will behave as such." Eves’s face wore a grin when he returned to the farm. "Haylock’s a priceless old ass, Bob," he said. "Noakes has been at him, and he’s given him a tip." "Who’s given who? Your pronouns are mixed up," said Templeton.