run away with at first," she said; "but when I heard Alvy's voice on the box I knew it must be all right."[Pg 56] [Pg 56] "Of course," continued Cecil, "we hadn't the least idea there was anybody else in the van." "Oh, I didn't mind so much," she said. "He was quite nice and respectful, and very soft to fall on. I guess he must be all black and blue from the number of times I hit him." "Well, you're safe, and that's the main thing," said Spotts. "But what does it all mean?" she demanded. "Oh, there's time enough for explanations later on," returned the actor. "We're not out of the woods yet." "Of course we aren't, stupid! Any one can see that." "Metaphorically, he means," said Cecil. "But, joking apart, this Black Maria is, so to speak particeps criminis, and the sooner we lose it the better." "Which way shall we go?" she asked. "Oh, that's been all arranged beforehand with the other members of the party," said Spotts, purposely omitting to mention their[Pg 57] destination in the presence of their undesirable companion. "It can't be more than a mile or two across country to the Hudson River Railroad, and we'd better make for the nearest station. Do you feel up to walking?" [Pg 57] "Do I feel up to walking!" she exclaimed. "Well, if you'd been chucked round for an hour without being consulted, I guess you'd feel like doing a little locomotion on your own account." And without another word the three turned to get their belongings. "Say," interjected the tramp, "where do I come in?" "Oh, but you don't," said Spotts. "We're going to leave you this beautiful carriage and pair with our blessing. Better take a drive in the country and enjoy the fresh air." "Yah!" snarled the disreputable one in reply. "That don't go! It's too thin! Why, look here, boss," he continued, addressing Banborough, "you went and 'scaped with me without so much as sayin' by your leave, and now, when you've gone and laid me open to extra time for evadin' of my penalty, you've[Pg 58] got the cheek
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