"I'll be even with you for this, Dick Glaire." Richard made a rush at him, when Sim took to his heels and ran, while the young man turned back to where Joe Banks stood holding poor Daisy's basket and shawl. "Master Dick," said the old man sternly, "I want to ask thee a question, and I want yow, as your father's son, to give me a straightforward answer." "But what does this all mean, Joe? what's this about Daisy?" "Answer my question," said the old man, sternly; and then he paused for a moment, as he fixed his clear eyes on the young man's shifty face, before saying hoarsely: "Were you out walking wi' my lass, Daisy, last night?" "No," said Richard, firmly; "certainly not." "And thee didn't see her last night at all?" "Yes, oh yes," said Richard, eagerly. "I did see her, and said, `How d'ye do.'" "Wheer?" said Joe Banks, without moving a muscle. "Up by the chalk pit, at the top of the hill. I'd been having a round." "What time?" said Joe, shortly. "Well, let me see," said Richard, hesitating. "I came straight down home, and it was about half-past eight when I got in." Joe stood thinking: the servant-girl had said that her master had come in early. "And you didn't see my bairn after?" said Joe, gazing full in the young man's eyes. "Certainly not," said Richard. "Will yow swear it?" said Joe. Richard hesitated for a moment, and then, with a half-laugh, said: "Oh, yes, if you like." "Perhaps I shall like, my lad; but I don't ask you to sweer now. You've heerd, I s'pose?" "I've heard something, Joe, but can't quite make it out," said the young man. "It's easy," said Joe, hoarsely. "My poor bairn came up town last night, and she hasn't been back. We foun' these here up by the chalk pit." "But she hadn't fallen in?" "No, my lad, no," said the old man, quietly, for he was thinking deeply. "But thankye, thankye. They wanted to make me believe as you meant harm to the lass--all on 'em; but I knew you, lad, well, as your poor owd father's son." "Mr Banks!" "Aw raight, my lad, aw raight. I never thowt it of you, never; but the tongues would wag; and I said if thee loved the bairn thee should'st hev her. You do her harm! Not you, lad; you cared too much for her. But harm's come to her some way. Let's find her." "But how could they say such things of me?" said Richard, with virtuous indignation shining out of his eyes. "Oh, they're a chithering lot," exclaimed Joe. "They'd seen thee talk to the bairn, or mebbe seen thee heving a walk wi' her, and that weer enew to set their tongues clacking. But we must be going, mun, for we're losing time; and if any one's done wrong by my bairn--" Richard shrank away, startled at the lurid flash from the old man's eyes, as setting his teeth, and clenching his massive fist, he shook it at vacancy, and then, without another word, strode on, accompanied by Richard, who was trembling now like a leaf.