"I care not for thy name," said Holden, "but by what authority darest thou to lay thy hand on a free man?" "By authority of the State of Connecticut," replied the constable, recovering from his momentary confusion, and feeling quite safe in the crowd. "It's true, I hain't got my staff, but everybody's bound, according to law, to know the constable." "And, therefore, is an innocent man to be treated as a malefactor?" "I don't know about the innocence," said Basset, "and it's none of my business. You must talk to the justice about that. All I've got to do is to execute my warrant according to law." "It is written, resist not evil," said Holden, musingly. "Behold, I am in thy hands; do with me what thou willest." But some of the spectators appeared indisposed to be so passive. Pownal and Bernard walked up to the constable, and demanded to know the meaning of the outrage. "You may just call it what you please, Mr. Pownal," answered Basset, indignant at being interfered with, as he called it, in the discharge of his duty, "and I advise you not to git your fingers catched in the law; but if you must know, the justice, I guess, will tell you." "Keep your advice until it is asked for," said Pownal; "but before what justice are you taking him?" "If you come with us, you'll find out," answered Basset, whose ill nature seemed to increase. "That I certainly will. I must leave you," said Pownal, turning to the ladies, "to see that this brutal fellow behaves himself." "Do," cried Faith; "do not let them insult him." "Let us go with him," said the impulsive Anne. "You would make a fine appearance in a justice court," said her brother "No, I will see you home, and afterwards join Pownal." But an occurrence now happened which made any such arrangement unnecessary. Tom Gladding, who all this while had been quietly whittling out his chain and listening to the conversation, here interposed: "Basset," he said, "you hain't showed your warrant." "It's all safe enough," cried the constable, striking his hand on his pocket. "Well, if that's the case you're safe enough, too," said Tom, as if not disposed to press an inquiry. But the hint had answered its purpose, and several voices demanded the exhibition of the warrant, to which the constable replied, that it was none of their business; he knew what he was about. Contrary, however, to what might have been expected from his former submission, the prisoner required to see the written authority by which he was to be consigned to bonds, and refused to move until it had been shown, in which determination he was sustained by the bystanders. Thus unexpectedly resisted, the constable had no alternative but to release Holden or produce the instrument. He, therefore, put his hand into his pocket, and pulling out a number of papers, sought for the document. It was in vain; no warrant was to be found; and, after repeatedly shuffling the papers, he exclaimed: "I declare I must have lost it."