They had called a
constable, and he stood in the shop as my jailer; and in talking with the
constable I inquired where he lived, and what trade he was; the man not apprehending in the least what happened afterwards, readily told me his name, and trade, and where he lived; and told me as a jest, that I might be sure to hear of his name when I came to the Old Bailey.
Rather, from the strange fact that the robber had left no traces, and had happened to know the nick of time, utterly incalculable by mortal agents, when Silas would go away from home without locking his door, the more probable conclusion seemed to be, that his disreputable intimacy in that quarter, if it ever existed, had been broken up, and that, in consequence, this ill turn had been done to Marner by somebody it was quite in vain to set the
constable after.
Between the brother and sister he remained in this posture, quite unresisting and passive, until Mr Swiveller returned, with a police
constable at his heels.
So thus they went in threescore companies of five to Sherwood Forest, to take Robin Hood, each
constable wishing that he might be the one to find the bold outlaw, or at least one of his band.
"Maybe you are an' maybe you ain't," said the
constable; "but you can tell all that to Judge Neusbaumer in the mornin'."
Snagsby descends and finds the two 'prentices intently contemplating a police
constable, who holds a ragged boy by the arm.
Giles, the tinker (who had received a special invitation to regale himself for the remainder of the day, in consideration of his services), and the
constable. The latter gentleman had a large staff, a large head, large features, and large half-boots; and he looked as if he had been taking a proportionate allowance of ale--as indeed he had.
Just as he arrived at Mr Allworthy's outward gate, he met the
constable and company with Molly in their possession, whom they were conducting to that house where the inferior sort of people may learn one good lesson, viz., respect and deference to their superiors; since it must show them the wide distinction Fortune intends between those persons who are to be corrected for their faults, and those who are not; which lesson if they do not learn, I am afraid they very rarely learn any other good lesson, or improve their morals, at the house of correction.
It was delivered to the letter, perhaps, but with all that moral coloring which can be conveyed under such expressions as, “thinking no harm,” “feeling it my bounden duty as a magistrate,” and “seeing that the
constable was back’ard in the business.” When he had done, and the district attorney declined putting any further interrogatories, Mr.
Justice Robinson entered, followed by Buckstone and the town
constable, Jim Blake.
"Look at this," marvelled the
constable. "It's a wonder to me they didn't make off with your things while you were waiting."
On enquiry we found that the
constable was in bed, and we were shown into a little front parlour to await his coming.