Mr. Ashley was buried in reflection. There was a curious sound of mystery about the tale altogether, to his ears. That there were many thieves in Helstonleigh, he did not doubt--people who would appropriate a cheque, or anything else that came in their way; but why the same person--if it was the same--should pace the cold field at night, watching Samuel Lynn's house, was inexplicable. "It may not be the same," he observed aloud. "Shall you watch for the man again?" he asked of Mr. Lynn. "I shall not give myself much trouble over it now," was the reply. "While I was concerned to ascertain William's truthfulness----" "I scarcely think you need have doubted it, Mr. Lynn," interrupted William. "True. I have never doubted thee yet. But it appeared to be thy word against the sight of my own eyes. The master will understand----" A most extraordinary interruption came from Sergeant Delves. He threw up his head with a start, and gave vent to a shrill, prolonged whistle. "It looks dark!" cried he. "What didst thee say, friend Delves?" "I beg pardon, gentlemen," answered the sergeant. "I was not speaking to any of you; I was following up the bent of mine own thoughts. It suddenly flashed into my mind who it is that I have seen in one of these cloaks." "And who is it?" asked Mr. Dare. "You must excuse me, sir, if I keep that to myself," was the answer. "As tall a man as William Halliburton?" The sergeant ran his eyes up and down William's figure. "A shade taller, I should say, if anything." "And it struck me that the man who made off across the field was a shade taller," observed Samuel Lynn. "Well, I can't make sense of it," resumed Mr. Dare, breaking a pause. "Let us allow, if you like, that there are fifty such cloaks in the town. Unless one, wearing such, had access to Mr. Ashley's counting-house, to this very room that we are now in, how does the fact of there being others remove the suspicion from William Halliburton?" Mr. Dare had not intended wilfully to cause him pain. He had forgotten for the moment that William was a stranger to the doubt raised touching himself. Amidst the deep silence that ensued, William looked from one to the other. "Who suspects me?" he asked, surprise the only emotion in his tone. Sergeant Delves tapped him significantly on the shoulder. "Never you trouble yourself, young sir. If what has come into my mind be right, it isn't _you_ who are guilty." When he and Mr. Dare went out, Mr. Ashley followed them to the outer gate. As they stood there talking, Frank Halliburton passed. "Look here," thought the sergeant to himself, "there's not much doubt as to the black sheep--I see that: but it's as well, to be on the sure side. Young man," cried he aloud to Frank, in the authoritative, patronizing manner which Sergeant Delves was fond of assuming when he could, "what time did your brother William get home last Saturday night? I suppose you know, if you were at home yourself."