se things, and the chance may be as you does get found guilty
and be sentenced to the gallows. It might cause an unpleasantness
here, and that you would wish to avoid I don't say as even Sally
Rocliffe and Thomas would like it, for you're related to them
somehow, and I'm quite sure as Thursley villagers won't like it,
cos we've all respected you and have held Jonas cheap. And why we
should have you hanged becos he's dead--that's unanswerable I say.
So I'll be round after dark and drive you to Portsmouth."

"No, indeed, I cannot go."

"You can think it over. What about the little chap, the baby? If
they hang you, that'll be wuss for him than it was for you. For you
it were bad enough, because you had three men hanged all along of
your father, but for he it'll be far more serious when he goes
about the world as the chap as had his mother hanged."

"Joe, you insist on imagining the worst. It cannot, it will not, be
that I shall be condemned when guiltless."

"If I was you I'd make sure I wasn't ketched," urged the hostler.
"You may be quite certain that the master will do what he can for
you; but I must say this, he is that under Polly that you can't
depend on him. There was old Clutch on the day when Bideabout was
killed. The doctor came from Gorlmyn on a hired hoss, and it was
the gray mare from the inn there. Well, old Clutch seems to have
found it out, and with his nose he lifted the latch of the
stable-door and got out, and trotted away after the doctor or the
old mare all the road to Gorlmyn; and he's there now in a field
with the mare, as affable as can be with her. It's the way of old
horses--and what, then, can you expect of old men? Polly can lead
the master where she pleases."

"Joe," said Mehetabel, "I cannot accept your kind offer. Do not
think me ungrateful. I am touched to the heart. But I will not
attempt to run away; that would at once be taken as a token that I
was guilty and was afraid of the consequences. I will not do
anything to give occasion for such a thought. I am not guilty,
and will act as an innocent person would."

"You may please yourself," answered Filmer; "but if you don't go, I
shall think you what I never thought you before--a fool."

"I cannot help it; I must do what is right," said Mehetabel. "But I
shall never forget your kindness, Joe, at a time when there are
very few who are friends to me."

The period of Mehetabel's illness had been a trying one for the
infant, and its he