enry Grantly, that Mr. Crawley should
be innocent, and he did rejoice; but he had intended his father
to understand that he meant to persevere, whether Mr. Crawley were
innocent or guilty, and thus he would now lose an opportunity for
establishing his obstinacy,--an opportunity which had not been
without a charm for him. He must console himself as best he might
with the returning prospect of assured prosperity, and with his
renewed hopes as to the Plumstead foxes! "We think, major, that
when the time comes you ought to be the bearer of the news to
Hogglestock," said Mr. Walker. Then the major did undertake to convey
the news to Hogglestock, but he made no promise as to going over to
Plumstead.

CHAPTER LXXII

Mr. Toogood at "The Dragon of Wantly"

In accordance with his arrangement with Mr. Walker, Mr. Toogood went
over to Barchester early in the morning and put himself up at "The
Dragon of Wantly". He now knew the following facts: that Mr. Soames,
when he lost the cheque, had had with him one of the servants from
that inn,--that the man who had been with Mr. Soames had gone to New
Zealand,--that the cheque had found its way into the hands of Mrs
Arabin, and that Mrs. Arabin was the owner of the inn in question. So
much he believed to be within his knowledge, and if his knowledge
should prove to be correct, his work would be done as far as Mr
Crawley was concerned. If Mr. Crawley had not stolen the cheque, and
if that could be proved, it would be a question of no great moment to
Mr. Toogood who had stolen it. But he was a sportsman in his own line
who liked to account for his own fox. As he was down at Barchester,
he thought that he might as well learn how the cheque had got into
Mrs. Arabin's hands. No doubt that for her own personal possession of
it she would be able to account on her return. Probably such account
would be given in her first letter home. But it might be well that
he should be prepared with any small circumstantial details which he
might be able to pick up at the inn.

He reached Barchester before breakfast, and in ordering his tea and
toast, reminded the old waiter with the dirty towel of his former
acquaintance with him. "I remember you, sir," said the old waiter.
"I remember you very well. You was asking questions about the cheque
which Mr. Soames lost afore Christmas." Mr. Toogood certainly had asked
one question on the subject. He had inquired whether a certain man
who had gone to Ne