"Won't do, Timson--won't do," said the vicar. "I'm a very homespun man, and have forgotten the greater part of my college polish. Half a life in rough Lincolnshire does not improve one; but I can't think as you do. I would that I could go to the poor fellow and say, `Mr Pellet, it's a mistake--forgive me.'" "I should like to go with you," said Timson. "But not a word to any one else," said the vicar; "we won't have the finger of scorn pointed at him. Let him stay till his time's expired, and then go where he will, and begin life afresh, with what we send." Timson nodded. "If it becomes known, let the onus rest on himself. It shall not come from us. And besides, if we put it about, people would blame us for letting him stay out his time. I don't want to do him a mortal injury. Let him see the evil of his ways, and do better in future. Let him, as I said in my letter, seek forgiveness from Him whom he has sinned against!" "Amen!" said Timson, solemnly; and then the two friends sat on far into the night smoking pipe after pipe, while the little kettle steamed away until it was quite dry, a fact discovered by Mr Timson just as he had placed more sugar and spirit in his tumbler, which he pushed aside with a sigh. The subject was brought up no more then, and there was no cribbage; but when Mr Timson rose and took his hat, and had shaken hands and said "good-night," he came hurrying back after taking half a dozen steps to tap softly at the door, which had the effect of bringing the vicar to the window. Timson ran to the area rails and leaned over as far as he could, gesticulating furiously with one arm, as he exclaimed loud enough for his friend to hear-- "I couldn't go away without telling you I'm sure of it, sir. There! I'll take my oath it's the Papist." Volume 2, Chapter XXIII. AT FAULT. Harry Clayton was fortunate, for he was shown into the great Mr Whittrick's presence directly; and, as soon as seated, he had the pleasure of feeling that the private inquirer was mentally photographing him, though, all the same, his words were quiet and urbane. But it seemed as if Mr Whittrick made use of all his faculties at once; he talked to his visitor; he listened to him; he gazed at him tremendously at times; he seemed to be smelling him; and, from the motion of his fingers, he evidently had a strong inclination to feel his visitor, for purposes of future recognition. "No, sir--at present, none; but we are doing all that is possible." "But have you nothing definite to communicate?" said Harry, despondently.