in't a
many runs as long as that. You'll have Sam Brattle for us all right,
no doubt, Mr. Fenwick?" The Vicar told the constable that he would
see to it, and get Sam Brattle to come forward as soon as he could.
"I told you all through, Mr. Fenwick, as Sam was one of them as was
in it, but you wouldn't believe me."

"I don't believe it now," said the Vicar.

CHAPTER XLVII.

SAM BRATTLE IS WANTED.

The next week was one of considerable perturbation, trouble, and
excitement at Bullhampton, and in the neighbourhood of Warminster
and Heytesbury. It soon became known generally that Jack the Grinder
and Lawrence Acorn were in Salisbury gaol, and that Sam Brattle--was
wanted. The perturbation and excitement at Bullhampton were, of
course, greater than elsewhere. It was necessary that the old miller
should be told,--necessary also that the people at the mill should be
asked as to Sam's present whereabouts. If they did not know it, they
might assist the Vicar in discovering it. Fenwick went to the mill,
taking the Squire with him; but they could obtain no information. The
miller was very silent, and betrayed hardly any emotion when he was
told that the police again wanted his son.

"They can come and search," he said. "They can come and search."
And then he walked slowly away into the mill. There was a scene, of
course, with Mrs. Brattle and Fanny, and the two women were in a sad
way.

"Poor boy,--wretched boy!" said the unfortunate mother, who sat
sobbing with her apron over her face.

"We know nothing of him, Mr. Gilmore, or we would tell at once," said
Fanny.

"I'm sure you would," said the Vicar. "And you may remember this,
Mrs. Brattle; I do not for one moment believe that Sam had any more
to do with the murder than you or I. You may tell his father that I
say so, if you please."

For saying this the Squire rebuked him as soon as they had left the
mill. "I think you go too far in giving such assurance as that," he
said.

"Surely you would have me say what I think?"

"Not on such a matter as this, in which any false encouragement may
produce so much increased suffering. You, yourself, are so prone to
take your own views in opposition to those of others that you should
be specially on your guard when you may do so much harm."

"I feel quite sure that he had nothing to do with it."

"You see that you have the police against you after a most minute and
prolonged investigation."

"The police are asses