Part 18 (1/2)
”I will, but I would rather tell Mr. Grant first, for it is a long story, and you will think it is a very strange one.”
”No doubt it is,” said the constable, perplexed by the replies of the culprit, and doubtful what course he should pursue.
”I suppose Mr. Grant has not got home yet,” added f.a.n.n.y. ”You can put me in prison till he gets back; or I will solemnly promise you I will not run away.”
”Your promises are not worth much. Mr. Grant has got home. He came home just as soon as he heard that you had gone off. You have given him a heap of trouble, and you must settle the case with him. I will take you over to the house, and I promise you I won't lose sight of you again.”
”I will not attempt to get away,” replied f.a.n.n.y, meekly.
”I won't trust you,” said Mr. Long, putting on his hat.
”I don't ask you to trust me.”
”Come with me,” he added, taking her by the arm.
”You need not hold me; I will not run away,” said f.a.n.n.y, as she left the house with the constable, who seemed determined to hold on to her as though she were some desperate ruffian, instead of a weak and self-convicted girl.
”You won't get away from me, you may depend upon it,” continued Mr.
Long, as they walked towards the mansion of Mr. Grant.
The constable seemed to be actuated by the vanity to make people believe that he had made a capture, and he did not release his grasp upon his prisoner till they reached their destination. They met several people, who stopped and stared at them, and evidently thought the constable had done a great thing. Mr. Long rang the bell at the front door. The man-servant, who admitted them, started with astonishment when he saw f.a.n.n.y. They were shown to the library, and informed that Mr. Grant was at breakfast.
”You can sit down in that chair,” said the constable, pointing to a seat. ”If you attempt to get away, I shall put the handcuffs on you.”
”I don't want to get away. I came back of my own accord,” replied f.a.n.n.y, astonished rather than indignant at the absurd behavior of the constable.
”You are bad enough to do almost anything.”
”I hope I am not so bad as I was.”
”Perhaps you do hope so; but we shall see.”
”Can you tell me where Kate Magner is now?” asked f.a.n.n.y, as Mr. Long relapsed into silence and pompous dignity.
”She is at home, I suppose. She wasn't quite bad enough for you, it seems.”
”I hope she was not punished for what she did, for it was all my fault.”
”That's a fact. You have told the truth for once.”
”I mean always to tell the truth now, Mr. Long,” said f.a.n.n.y.
”When you have done it a while, perhaps we can believe you. The Magner girl told the whole story, and delivered up the money you gave her; that saved her.”
”I am glad she was not punished.”
”She was punished.”
”Then I am sorry, for it was I who led her away.”