“I can’t,” exclaimed the burglar. “I’m all but killed by those she dragons.” “You can’t lie here all night. Get up, I say. What have you been doing?” “Oh, don’t ask me,” said Peace, in a whining hypocritical voice. “Those infamous women!” “Don’t listen to what he says, policeman,” interrupted the old lady. “He was breaking into the house, but we caught him just in time――only just in time.” “Do you charge him?” “Certainly. Take him in custody. Of course I charge him――the dirty blackguard!” Another constable now presented himself, and the two carried Peace into the back parlour of the little cottage. He presented a most pitiable appearance. Two great bumps as big as an egg were visible on his head; in addition to this his nose was bleeding, and a scar was observable on his face; this last being from the effects of the mop which had been handled so dexterously by the servant girl. He was, moreover, wet to the skin, from the contents of the pail. He had never been so cruelly dealt with before. With his head between his hands, he groaned and moaned in a most piteous and abject manner. “You’ve got the worst of it this time, old man,” said one of the policemen. “Are you sufficiently strong to walk to the station?” “Me strong! I feel as if about to breathe my last,” cried Peace. The two constables conversed apart for a little time――then one left the house. He returned with a pony-cart. “Now, then,” said the other, addressing himself to Peace, “as you are not able to walk, my man, we’ve got a conveyance for you.” “I’m very bad,” said our hero, with a groan. “Can’t help that. Get up, man.” The two policemen, without more ado, lifted up the wounded burglar, and bore him _nolens volens_ towards the cart, which stood just outside the garden gate. Peace was lifted into this by his captors, and the vehicle was driven towards the station. During the journey Peace whined and moaned in a most piteous manner, declaring all the way that he was an ill-used man. After being examined and attended to by the divisional surgeon, he was locked up for the remainder of the night. CHAPTER XVI. THE EXAMINATION AT THE POLICE COURT. Peace had been placed in a tolerably comfortable bed; his clothes were dried and brought into his room by early dawn. He was requested to get up; and, when dressed, was conducted to one of the cells adjoining the court, there to await his turn for examination. He found, upon entering the cell in question, that it contained another occupant besides himself. His companion in misfortune was a tall, slim young man, apparently twenty or thereabouts. In appearance he was what some persons would call genteel; certainly there did not appear to be anything of the ruffian about him. Peace regarded him with a searching glance, but did not offer any observation.