No one, to have heard that hearty, melodious burst of merriment, would have supposed for an instant that it came from the lips of a fugitive from justice.
They were now nearly opposite to the crouching figures by the roadside.
The old farmer had evidently reached the climax of his story, for both of them broke out again into a fresh burst of violent laughter that awoke the echoes round about them.
The laugh suddenly died away, the merriment ceased abruptly, as a dark form emerged from the roadside, and the muzzle of a revolver was placed close to the cheek of the young man, while Robert called out menacingly: "Newton Edwards, I want you!" With an exclamation of pain, the young man dropped his fishing-pole and the bucket of fish he was carrying, while a chill ran through his frame, and he shivered like an aspen in the grasp of the determined detective.
The others had now come forward, and as soon as he could recover from his astonishment, the old farmer cried out: "What does this mean ?" "It means," said Robert coolly, "that we have arrested your nephew for burglary, and that he must go with us." [Illustration: "Newton Edwards, I want you!"] The moon just then came peeping from behind a cloud, and fell upon the haggard face and wild eyes of the hapless prisoner, who until then had not uttered a word.
"It is all a mistake, Uncle Ben," faltered he; "but there is no use of making a denial here; if the blow has fallen, I must meet it like a man." The old man, with tears in his honest old eyes, gazed for a moment at his miserable relative, and then, putting his sturdy old arms around him, he turned to the officers: "Gentlemen, I suppose it is your duty.

I have no fault to find.

If the boy has done wrong, he must suffer; but bring him to the house now, and in the morning you can go your way." His offer was accepted, and directing the constable to return to his own home with his carriage, the others walked slowly up the lane toward the house.
But few words were spoken during the night.

The old farmer and his wife retired to their room, and during the few hours that remained, their voices could be heard as they sorrowfully discussed the painful situation.
Securing Edwards' effects, which consisted of a small portmanteau, they learned from the honest old farmer, whose word was as true as gold, that nothing else belonging to the young man was in the house.

All attempts to induce the young man to speak were unavailing, and they finally let him alone, and during the long hours he maintained a dogged silence.