The more we go for him, the better for our man." They failed to see the force of my logic, but curiosity and love of adventure induced them to venture into the lion's den.

On our way, moreover, we captured Dicky Brown, who, to do him credit, was only too eager to come with us and stand by his old Dux.
Contrary to our expectations, when we arrived, instead of finding a crowded court, we were ushered into the magistrate's parlour, where, to judge by appearances, a comfortable little party was going on.
The captain, a cheery old boy, familiar to all Low Heathens for his presence on speech day, sat at a table with his clerk beside him.

The doctor and Mr Jarman were also sitting down, and Tempest was standing restlessly near the window.

The lodge-keeper's son, with his head bound up (for he was the victim of the explosion, and I suppose, the prosecutor), was standing beside the policeman, cap in hand, on the mat.
At the sight of the three juniors the doctor frowned a little, and Mr Jarman scowled.
"What are these boys doing here ?" said the former.
"Please, sir, we thought you wanted to hear how it went off," said Langrish.
"So we do," said the magistrate; "sit down, my lads.

Well hear what you have to say in time." "Please, sir," said Tempest, "may I speak to Pridgin ?" "Certainly, my lad," said the captain again.
So the two friends hastily conferred together in the window, while we stared round with an awestruck, and apparently disconcerting, gaze at the gentlemen on the doormat, who severally represented the majesty of the law and injured innocence.
"Now, then," said the magistrate presently, "let us hear what this is all about.