Cashel Byron's Profession

Several peasants now came forward, each professing to know exactly

whither Cashel had been making when he crossed the glade. While they

were disputing, many persons resembling the hook-nosed captive in

general appearance sneaked into the crowd and regarded the police

with furtive hostility. Soon after, a second detachment of police

came up, with another prisoner and another crowd, among whom was

Bashville.

"Better go in, mum," said the policeman who had spoken to Lydia

first. "We must keep together, being so few, and he ain't fit for

you to look at."

But Lydia had looked already, and had guessed that the last prisoner

was Paradise, although his countenance was damaged beyond

recognition. His costume was like that of Cashel, except that he was

girt with a blue handkerchief with white spots, and his shoulders

were wrapped in a blanket, through one of the folds of which his

naked ribs could be seen, tinged with every hue that a bad bruise

can assume. A shocking spectacle appeared where his face had

formerly been. A crease and a hole in the midst of a cluster of

lumps of raw flesh indicated the presence of an eye and a mouth; the

rest of his features were indiscernible. He could still see a

little, for he moved his puffed and lacerated hand to arrange his

blanket, and demanded hoarsely, and with greatly impeded

articulation, whether the lady would stand a dram to a poor fighting

man wot had done his best for his backers. On this some one produced

a flask, and Mellish volunteered, provided he were released for a

moment, to get the contents down Paradise's throat. As soon as the

brandy had passed his swollen lips he made a few preliminary sounds,

and then shouted, "He sent for the coppers because he couldn't stand another round. I

am ready to go on."

The policemen bade him hold his tongue, closed round him, and hid

him from Lydia, who, without showing the mingled pity and loathing

with which his condition inspired her, told them to bring him to the

castle, and have him attended to there. She added that the whole

party could obtain refreshment at the same time. The sergeant, who

was very tired and thirsty, wavered in his resolution to continue

the pursuit. Lydia, as usual, treated the matter as settled.

"Bashville," she said, "will you please show them the way, and see

that they are satisfied."

"Some thief has stole my coat," said Mellish, sullenly, to

Bashville. "If you'll lend me one, governor, and these blessed

policemen will be so kind as not to tear it off my back, I'll send

it down to you in a day or two. I'm a respectable man, and have been

her ladyship's tenant here."