“Cos it's important,” said Mr. Grummit. “My wife's brother—the one you're so fond of—slept in my 'ouse last night. He was ill arf the night, pore chap; but, come to think of it, it'll make 'im a good witness for my innocence.” “If I wasn't a policeman,” said Mr. Evans, speaking with great deliberation, “I'd take hold o' you, Bob Grummit, and I'd give you the biggest hiding you've ever had in your life.” “If you wasn't a policeman,” said Mr. Grummit, yearningly, “I'd arf murder you.” The two men eyed each other wistfully, loth to part. “If I gave you what you deserve I should get into trouble,” said the constable. “If I gave you a quarter of wot you ought to 'ave I should go to quod,” sighed Mr. Grummit. “I wouldn't put you there,” said the constable, earnestly; “I swear I wouldn't.” “Everything's beautiful and quiet,” said Mr. Grummit, trembling with eagerness, “and I wouldn't say a word to a soul. I'll take my solemn davit I wouldn't.” “When I think o' my garden—” began the constable. With a sudden movement he knocked off Mr. Grummit's cap, and then, seizing him by the coat, began to hustle him along the road. In the twinkling of an eye they had closed. Tunwich church chimed the half-hour as they finished, and Mr. Grummit, forgetting his own injuries, stood smiling at the wreck before him. The constable's helmet had been smashed and trodden on; his uniform was torn and covered with blood and dirt, and his good looks marred for a fortnight at least. He stooped with a groan, and, recovering his helmet, tried mechanically to punch it into shape. He stuck the battered relic on his head, and Mr. Grummit fell back—awed, despite himself. “It was a fair fight,” he stammered. The constable waved him away. “Get out o' my sight before I change my mind,” he said, fiercely; “and mind, if you say a word about this it'll be the worse for you.” “Do you think I've gone mad?” said the other. He took another look at his victim and, turning away, danced fantastically along the road home. The constable, making his way to a gas-lamp, began to inspect damages. They were worse even than he had thought, and, leaning against the lamp-post, he sought in vain for an explanation that, in the absence of a prisoner, would satisfy the inspector. A button which was hanging by a thread fell tinkling on to the footpath, and he had just picked it up and placed it in his pocket when a faint distant outcry broke upon his ear. He turned and walked as rapidly as his condition would permit in the direction of the noise. It became louder and more imperative, and cries of “Police!” became distinctly audible. He quickened into a run, and turning a corner beheld a little knot of people standing at the gate of a large house. Other people only partially clad were hastening towards them. The constable arrived out of breath. “Better late than never,” said the owner of the house, sarcastically. Mr. Evans, breathing painfully, supported himself with his hand on the fence.