The Ranger was still out on the preserves, but
immediately on his return on Saturday morning he read the description of
the poacher's appearance and dress, about which last, however, the only
remarkable feature was that it was better than a poacher might be
expected to possess, and gave an air of respectability to the wearer that
might easily disarm suspicion.
"The Ranger made enquiries at all the inns in Sunch'ston, and at length
succeeded in hearing of a stranger who appeared to correspond with the
poacher whom the Professors had seen; but the man had already left, and
though the Ranger did his best to trace him he did not succeed. On
Sunday morning, however, he observed the prisoner, and found that he
answered the description given by the Professors; he therefore arrested
him quietly in the temple, but told him that he should not take him to
prison till the service was over. The man said he would come quietly
inasmuch as he should easily be able to prove his innocence. In the
meantime, however, he professed the utmost anxiety to hear Professor
Hanky's sermon, which he said he believed would concern him nearly. The
Ranger paid no attention to this, and was as much astounded as the rest
of the congregation were, when immediately after one of Professor Hanky's
most eloquent passages, the man started up and declared himself to be the
Sunchild.
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