“Come now, tell the truth; and remember if I catch you lying I _will_ give you in charge.” “That’s the thruth, yer riverence. It was only afther the dog was away we thought a’ comin’ back, and then just along a’ the dhrink. Sure, if we’d wanted to break into the house we wouldn’t a’ kept the dog as evidence; we’d a’ poisoned him the night we come.” “That would certainly have been more intelligent, but I don’t know that I’ve any reason to think you _are_ intelligent, George. And perhaps you knew the dog slept in the house, which would have made poisoning impossible.” “Well, that’s the God’s thruth, yer riverence. God――――” “Answer my questions,” the canon interrupted, “and stop blaspheming. You belong to the travelling circus that was here, don’t you?” “Yes, yer riverence. If you saw the show, I’m Prairie Dick that does the riding act. An’ now with this leg――――” “Where is the circus?” “About five mile away, yer riverence.” “When were you with it last?” “About three o’clock, yer riverence.” “And do you know that a little boy out of this house is missing, and that I have reason to believe he followed the circus to try to get his dog back again? One of you was seen prowling about here shortly before the dog disappeared.” “I haven’t seen the boy, yer riverence. But if he did get to the circus he’ll have come to no harm. They wouldn’t touch a hair of him, so they wouldn’t.” “I hope not. The police are out looking for him now; I’m expecting word every minute. Do you see all the trouble you’ve brought about?” “I’m very sorry, yer riverence; an’ if you’ll only let me go quiet I’ll have the dog brought back first thing.” “Well, I’m going to keep you, George, for the present. Whether I give you in charge or not depends entirely on whether I find you have been telling me the truth.” “Thank you, yer riverence: you’ll never regret it.” There was a sentimental ring in George’s voice, but the canon, being hard-hearted, was unimpressed. “Possibly not, though I shouldn’t be surprised if somebody else did. I suppose your friend has decamped?” “I don’t know, yer riverence.” The canon gave him a long look, which George, who objected to being stared at, did not meet. “I’m going to send now for the doctor. I’ll ask him to come round and have a look at your leg. Then I shall want you to act as guide――to take the car to where your camp is.... You’d better look after this, Palmer. You can explain the situation to Doctor O’Neill.” Palmer nodded. He still held his revolver, but he now offered it to Canon Annesley. “You may as well have it, sir, in case he gives trouble. I’ll go on the bike.”