His being alone, his having dared to
light a fire, probably to cook quails which he had been driven to kill
from stress of hunger, the respectability of his dress, and the fury with
which he would have attacked the two Professors single-handed, but for
Professor Hanky's presence of mind in giving him a knock-down blow, all
point in the direction of thinking that he was no true poacher, but, what
is even more dangerous--a madman at large. We have not received any
particulars as to the man's appearance, nor the clothes he was wearing,
but we have little doubt that these will confirm the surmise to which we
now give publicity. If it is correct it becomes doubly incumbent on all
our fellow-citizens to be both on the watch, and on their guard.
"We may add that the man was fully believed to have taken the direction
towards the capital; hence no attempts were made to look for him in the
neighbourhood of Sunch'ston, until news of the threatened attack on the
Professors led the keeper of the asylum to feel confident that he had
hitherto been on a wrong scent."
CHAPTER XXIII: MY FATHER IS ESCORTED TO THE MAYOR'S HOUSE, AND IS
INTRODUCED TO A FUTURE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
My father said he was followed to the Mayor's house by a good many
people, whom the Mayor's sons in vain tried to get rid of.
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