They heard a confusion of voices below, a hasty moving of chairs, a banging of doors, a further parley, and then a woman's scream, shrill and pitiful; then steps on the stairs.
'That screech spoiled all,' sighed Philip.
In one instant the door was opened, and each of the hiders was conscious of the presence of the constables, although at first the latter stood motionless, surveying the apparently empty room with disappointment.

Then in another moment they had rushed at Philip's legs, exposed as these were.

They drew him out with violence, and then let him go.
'Measter Hepburn!' said one in amaze.

But immediately they put two and two together; for in so small a place as Monkshaven every one's relationships and connexions, and even likings, were known; and the motive of Philip's coming out to Haytersbank was perfectly clear to these men.
'T' other 'll not be far off,' said the other constable.

'His plate were down-stairs, full o' victual; a seed Measter Hepburn a-walking briskly before me as a left Monkshaven.' 'Here he be, here he be,' called out the other man, dragging Daniel out by his legs, 'we've getten him.' Daniel kicked violently, and came out from his hiding-place in a less ignominious way than by being pulled out by his heels.
He shook himself, and then turned, facing his captors.
'A wish a'd niver hidden mysel'; it were his doing,' jerking his thumb toward Philip: 'a'm ready to stand by what a've done.