.

THE THREATENED OUTLAWRY.
Rotha's apprehension of mischief, either as a result of Mrs.Garth's menace or as having occasioned it, was speedily to find realization.
A day or two after the rencontre, three strangers arrived at Shoulthwaite, who, without much ceremony, entered the house, and took seats on the long settle in the kitchen.
Rotha and Willy were there at the moment, the one baking oaten cake, and the other tying a piece of cord about a whip which was falling to pieces.

The men wore plain attire, but a glance was enough to satisfy Willy that one of them was the taller of the two constables who had tried to capture Ralph on Stye Head.
"What do you want ?" he asked abruptly.
"A little courtesy," answered the stalwart constable, who apparently constituted himself spokesman to his party.
"From whom do you come ?" "_From_ whom and _for_ whom!--you shall know both, young man.

We come from the High Sheriff of Carlisle, and we come for--so please you--Ralph Ray." "He's not here." "So we thought." The constables exchanged glances and broad smiles.
"He's not here, I tell you," said Willy, obviously losing his self-command as he became excited.
"Then go and fetch him." "I would not if I could; I could not if I would.

So be off." "We might ask you for the welcome that is due to the commissioners of a sheriff." "You _take_ it.