"In this envelope you will find a document--a confession of a piece of wrongdoing on Maurice's part of which I believe you have never been informed. His poor sister concealed it--and paid for it. Do you remember, three years ago, the letting loose of some valuable young horses from Farmer Grange's stables--the hue and cry after them--and the difficulty there was in recapturing them on the Chase?" Barron stared at the speaker--speechless. "You remember that a certain young fellow was accused--James Aston--one of my Sunday school teachers--who had proposed to Grange's daughter, and had been sent about his business by the father? Aston was in fact just about to be run in by the police, when a clue came to my hands. I followed it up. Then I found out that the ringleader in the whole affair had been your son Maurice. If you remember, he was then at home, hanging about the village, and he had had a quarrel with Grange--I forget about what. He wrote an anonymous post-card accusing Aston. However, I got on the track; and finally I made him give me a written confession--to protect Aston. Heavy compensation was paid to Grange--by your daughter--and the thing was hushed up. I was always doubtful whether I ought not to have come to you. But it was not long after the death of your wife. I was very sorry for you all--and Maurice pleaded hard. I did not even tell Stephen; but I kept the confession. I came upon it a night or two ago, in the drawer where I had also placed the letter to Dawes which I got from you. Suddenly, the likeness in the handwritings struck me; and I made a very careful comparison." He opened the packet, and took out the two papers, which he offered to Barron. "I think, if you will compare the marked passages, you will see at least a striking resemblance." With a shaking hand Barron refused the papers. "I have no doubt, sir, you can manufacture any evidence you please!--but I do not intend to follow you through it. Handwriting, as we all know, can be made to prove anything. Reserve your documents for your solicitor. I shall at once instruct mine."