“Hages!”

“When all that stir was made, when the Government reward was offered, when the police were on the alert, when the whole country rang with the crime!” said Mortimer, impatiently.

“Hah!” Mr. Riderhood very slowly and hoarsely chimed in, with several retrospective nods of his head. “Warn’t I troubled in my mind then!”

“When conjecture ran wild, when the most extravagant suspicions were afloat, when half a dozen innocent people might have been laid by the heels any hour in the day!” said Mortimer, almost warming.

“Hah!” Mr. Riderhood chimed in, as before. “Warn’t I troubled in my mind through it all!”