John Morland for
trespass because he shot in his own warren.«
    »How on earth did you do that?«
    »Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay reading - Frankland v. Morland,
Court of Queen's Bench. It cost me £200, but I got my verdict.«
    »Did it do you any good?«
    »None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had no interest in the matter. I
act entirely from a sense of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that the
Fernworthy people will burn me in effigy to-night. I told the police last time
they did it that they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The County
Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir, and it has not afforded me the
protection to which I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will bring
the matter before the attention of the public. I told them that they would have
occasion to regret their treatment of me, and already my words have come true.«
    »How so?« I asked.
    The old man put on a very knowing expression.
    »Because I could tell them what they are dying to know; but nothing would
induce me to help the rascals in any way.«
    I had been casting round for some excuse by which I could get away from his
gossip, but now I began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen enough of the
contrary nature of the old sinner to understand that any strong sign of interest
would be the surest way to stop his confidences.
    »Some poaching case, no doubt?« said I with an indifferent manner.
    »Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important matter than that! What about the
convict on the moor?«
    I started. »You don't mean that you know where he is?« said I.
    »I may not know exactly where he is, but I am quite sure that I could help
the police to lay their hands on him. Has it never struck you that the way to
catch that man was to find out where he got his food and so trace it to him?«
    He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfortably near the truth. »No doubt,«
said I; »but how do you know that he is anywhere upon the moor?«
    »I know it because I have seen with my own eyes the messenger who takes him
his food.«
    My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious thing to be in