" Wilkinson had to go away, more pained at heart
for the sad eyed watcher awaiting the impending blow than for the
unconscious friend on whom it was to fall more mercifully. Mr. Bangs
took charge of the outside guard that night, in which the clergymen had
volunteered to serve. Mr. Rigby took a grey blanket out to the stables,
and lay down near his prisoners, with baton and pistol close at hand.
About eleven o'clock Ben Toner, on guard before the house, saw a female
figure approaching, and challenged. "Squit yer sojer foolins, Ben, and
leave me pass," came from the well known voice of Serlizer. "Is the gals
up in the kitchen?"
"They is," replied Mr. Toner, humbly and laconically; and his ladylove
proceeded thitherward. Miss Newcome looked in upon Tryphena, Tryphosa,
and Timotheus, Mr. Maguffin being asleep, and, after a little
conversation, guessed she'd go and see Ben. She had found out that the
constable had two prisoners in charge, quite incidentally, and listened
to the news as something that did not concern her. Instead of going to
see Ben, however, she visited the stables.
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