the rest of 'em got in; it was more than I could do to stop them."
The Inspector showed himself indisposed to accept his satellite's excuses.
"Tell that for a tale, my man; you will hear of this again. I will only have men with me who are able to carry out to the letter the instructions I give them." He addressed himself to me. "Mr. Ferguson, if you are not careful you will get yourself into trouble. You appear not to realise the serious nature of your conduct. It is not what I should have expected from a gentleman in your position. Surely you cannot wish to place yourself in opposition to the law?"
"Thank you for your warning; and don't you trouble yourself about my wishes. Let me advise you not to step out of the four corners of your province; men circumstanced as you are sometimes take liberties, which is a mistake."
"Stand on one side, Mr. Ferguson. I do not take my instructions from you. I wish to speak to that young lady."
"Then speak to her from where you are—though what you can have to say to her is more than I am able to imagine. She is not well, and does not want to be brought into too close contact with undesirable strangers."
"Not well? What is the matter with her?"
"I might reply by inquiring what affair that is
