“Bide a moment, good sir, there is none in hearing, and I would say a word to thee.”

“My duty forbids it, sir; prithee hinder me not, the night comes on.”

“Stay, nevertheless, for the matter concerns thee nearly.

Turn thy back a moment and seem not to see: let this poor lad escape.”

“This to me, sir! I arrest thee in — ”

“Nay, be not too hasty. See thou be careful and commit no foolish error,” — then he shut his voice down to a whisper, and said in the man’s ear — ”the pig thou hast purchased for eightpence may cost thee thy neck, man!”

The poor constable,