"Then the sooner you uncock it the better," said our sergeant; "or else, perhaps, you'll be making another mistake. But now, if you'll go with me, we will just let the other man in," and then he went and shut down the window, and drew the curtains across. But the old gentleman seemed so scared, that he could hardly tell friends from enemies, and he did not appear to like the idea of the front door being opened, for nearly all the sense seemed frightened out of him. However, he followed the sergeant, and they unlocked the door, let down the chain, and slipped back the bolts, and then after unlocking the darby, they lugged in my friend who said there was a lady in the case, brought him into the dining-room, and set him in an easy-chair in the corner. The sergeant then set light to a pair of candles on the chimney-piece, when I could see all that went on, for I could neither move nor speak yet. "Slip round to the station for more help, and the stretcher," said the sergeant; and my fellow-constable went, though the old gentleman didn't seem to like it, and asked if it was safe to be left with the two burglars. Then the sergeant came and stooped over me again, and asked me how I was; but all I could do was to look hard in his face, and wink both my eyes. Just then he asked the old gentleman if he had a drop of brandy in the house, when a decanter was brought out, and a glass held to my lips, and a few drops seemed to revive me so, that I was able to sit up, when the sergeant and the old gentleman between them got me upon a sofa, where I lay quite still and felt better. "Dear me, dear me," said the old gentleman: "I don't like my house being turned into a hospital." "P'raps not," said the sergeant; "but if it hadn't been for that poor fellow, you might have looked queer." Hearing the old fellow grumble seemed to rouse me, and I still went on listening. "It's been a stiff fight, sir," said the sergeant; "and that young fellow--" "And you, sergeant," I said feebly. "Oh, come; that's cheering," said he with a pleasant look, which went right over his shining face. You can't tell how pleased I felt to be able to use my tongue once more, but there was no work in me, and there I lay watching the sergeant give a look at the two prisoners, and examine the handcuffs to see that all was right, when all at once the fellow I had such a struggle with, sprang up and fetched the sergeant the most savage of kicks in the knee--one which sent him staggering back--when, in spite of all that has been said about the police using their staves, I'm sure no one could have blamed that sergeant for bringing his staff down on the fellow's head, and striking him to the ground, where, as he lay, I had a good look at him.