future, why not give them another
chance? I am satisfied if you are."

"Just as you say," the lawyer indifferently replied, as he glanced at
his watch. "It's up to you."

"Well, let it rest at that, then. I don't wish to carry the matter any
further. Give Mr. Stubbles the money, and save him from failure."

At these words Stubbles sprang to his feet, while a new light of hope
gleamed in his eyes.

"And you won't humiliate me?" he asked. "You won't demand a public
confession?"

"Not if you agree to our wishes, and I think you understand now what
they are."

"I do, I surely do, and I shall see that they are fulfilled," he cried.

"Let us shake on it, then," and Douglas reached out his hand.

Stubbles seized it, and as he did so tears came into his eyes and
rolled down his cheeks. It was the spirit of forgiveness that had
moved him and caused his emotion.

"That is good," and Garton smiled approvingly. "I hope I shall never
be called to this parish on such a business again."

"You never will," Stubbles emphatically replied. "But come and visit
me again, sir, and bring Mr. Handyman with you. I don't think you will
find anything amiss then, eh, Hawkins?"

"Sure, sure," the Squire fervently replied, as he held out his hand to
bid Garton and Douglas good-bye. "I think that things will be
different in Rixton after this."

CHAPTER XXIX

THE CHALLENGE

For two days there was intense excitement throughout the entire parish
of Rixton. The one great topic of conversation was the punishment Ben
Stubbles had received. There was considerable anxiety as well, for
those who had taken part in the affair fully expected that Simon
Stubbles would hit back hard. Just what he would do, they had no idea,
but they realised that it was not his nature to overlook an insult,
especially to his only son. It was, therefore, a great relief when the
news spread that nothing would be done, and that Simon Stubbles had
agreed to allow the matter to rest.

How this information leaked out was never fully known, though it was
surmised that Squire Hawkins had given away the secret. Many were the
stories in circulation, and the slightest incident was greatly enlarged
according to the imagination of the narrator. It was believed that
Jake Jukes' hired man had been a detective in disguise, or anyway, a
man who had considerable influence. People recalled everything he had
said and done since coming to the place. His wres