"I know who it was," said Richard, with his eyes sparkling with malicious glee. "Know who it was?" said Banks. "Tell me, Maister Richard, and I'll 'bout break his neck." "It was that scoundrel Tom Podmore." "Who? Tom Podmore! Yah!" said the foreman, in a tone of disgust; and then with a chuckle. "I dessay he'd like to gi'e you one, Maister Dick; but go and steal the bands! It ain't in him." "But I tell you I saw him!" cried Richard. "Saw him? When?" "Hanging about the works here last night between nine and ten." "You did!" cried the foreman, eagerly. "That I did, myself," said Richard, while the vicar scanned his eager face so curiously that the young man winced. Joe Banks stood thinking with knitted brow for a few moments, and then, just as Mrs Glaire was going to interpose, he held up his hand. "Wait a moment, Missus," he said. "Look here, Maister Richard, you said you saw Tom Podmore hanging about the works last night?" "I did." "There's nobbut one place wheer a chap could ha' been likely to ha' gotten in," said Banks, thoughtfully. "Wheer might you ha' sin him?" "In the lane by the side." "That's the place," said the foreman, in a disappointed tone. "That theer window. Was he by hissen?" "Yes, he was quite alone," said Richard, flinching under this cross-examination. "And what was you a-doing theer, Maister Richard, at that time?" said the foreman, curiously. "I--I--" faltered Richard, thoroughly taken aback by the sudden question; "I was walking down to go into the counting-house, with a sort of idea that I should like to see if the works were all right." "Ho!" said the foreman, shortly; and just then the eyes of the young men met, and it seemed to Richard that there was written in those of the vicar the one word, "Liar!" "Did you speak, sir?" said Richard, blanching, and then speaking hotly. "No, Mr Glaire, I did not speak, but I will, for I should like to say that from what I have seen of that young man Podmore, I do not think he is one who would be guilty of such a dastardly action." "How can you know?" said Richard, flushing up. "You only came to the town yesterday." "True," said the vicar; "but this young man was my guide here, and I had some talk with him." "I hope you did him good," said Richard, with an angry sneer. "I hope I did, Mr Glaire," said the vicar, meaningly, "and I think I did, for he told me something of his life, and I gave him some advice." "Of course," from Richard. "Richard, my son, pray remember," exclaimed Mrs Glaire. "Oh yes, I remember, mother," cried Richard, stung with rage by the doubting way in which his charge had been received; "but it is just as well that Mr Selwood here should learn at once that he's not coming to Dumford to be master, and do what he likes with people."