The squint in the man’s eyes became more pronounced. He made a signal to his companion at the door. The man in uniform laid his hand upon the Professor’s arm. “By what authority?” again demanded Kearns. The man threw back his coat and displayed a resplendent badge. Then came the answer to Kearns’ question: “IN THE NAME OF THE KING!” CHAPTER III A STRANGE REVELATION “In the name of the King!” cried Kearns, half indignantly, half amused. “I’m sure I don’t understand what you’re driving at; but from that badge I take it you represent the Law, and the Law I am always willing to obey. I’ll go with you; but I warn you, you’ll suffer for this work!” The two men made no reply to this threat, but placing themselves on either side of him they marched out of the place, followed by the man in uniform, with Dean in charge. As they passed along the street, several loiterers and a number of small boys followed in their wake. The prisoners seemed to arouse the greatest curiosity. Their captors hurried them along at a rapid gait to a neat stone building, with two imposing green lamps outside. Up a short flight of stone steps the prisoners were hustled and into a spacious room, where behind a large desk sat a man in uniform. Before the desk the party lined up. “Is this the Sergeant?” asked Kearns, surveying curiously the official uniform. “Lieutenant,” curtly answered the man behind the desk. “What’s the charge?” he asked sharply, turning to the little man with the squint. “Treasonable and seditious utterances in a public place, Lieutenant,” answered the little man glibly. “Utterances in violation of the statute and against the peace of His Majesty, the King, his crown and dignity.” “Did you take exact note of these utterances?” asked the official. “I did, Lieutenant.” “Give them.” In obedience to the command, the man gave a fairly faithful repetition of the words uttered by the Professor in the bar-room. He who was addressed as Lieutenant looked serious. “Your name,” he demanded of Kearns. “Thomas Kearns,” was the answer, impressively given; “and I’m chief of detectives of the New York police.” The Lieutenant glanced up quickly, with an astonished look. “My name isn’t unfamiliar, perhaps,” continued Mr. Kearns with some sarcasm. The Lieutenant laughed softly. “Yes,” he replied, “the name is familiar to me. So is that of Captain Kidd, and other legendary heroes of the past. Thomas Kearns, eh? There isn’t a small boy in the country who doesn’t know the name and who hasn’t read of his exploits.” For a moment Kearns stood silent, as if he hardly gathered the sense of the words. Then his face flushed and he found voice.