Pope Narby was tried for the murder of Sir Simon, and although he would fain have denied his guilt, and although his mother would fain have taken it on her own shoulders, he was condemned and sentenced to be hanged. It was this news which Elspeth and her husband were discussing after dinner in the garden. The night was beautiful and spring-like. There was a glorious moon gleaming in a cloudless sky, and everywhere the earth was breaking into blossom with the coming of spring. Browne had been dining with the young couple, but had been hastily called away to see a patient. Angus and his wife were alone, and sat side by side, hand in hand, on the terrace of the old hall. Elspeth looked more delicate and ethereal than ever in her evening dress, and Herries, immaculately groomed and arrayed in purple and fine linen, appeared a very different creature to the worn-out tramp who had sought the shelter of the "Marsh Inn." He was just talking of this experience. "I thought that it was the unluckiest thing that ever happened to me," he said, looking fondly at his pretty wife, "but now I know that but for my visit there I would never have been where I am. You would not have been my wife, Elspeth, nor would I now be drawing fifty thousand a year." "Yet we have seen much misery coming out of the whole business," sighed the girl-wife. "Is it a good thing, Angus, to build up happiness on the sorrows of other people?" "My darling, we did all we could to help others. Their sorrows were caused simply by their own wickedness, from which both of us suffered. No, Elspeth, I don't think we can blame ourselves in any way. Let us recall, for the last time, all that has happened, and then agree to forget the sorrowful past." "Well, then, Angus, let us begin with Pope Narby." "I rather think we end with him," said Herries, "seeing that the poor wretch will be hanged in a few days. The appeal his mother made to the Home Secretary has been rejected, and the law will take its course. But he certainly deserves his doom. When I was in the court at the time he was sentenced, Elspeth, he talked about Eugene Aram, and compared himself to that person, saying he had killed Sir Simon to get money to become famous." "Did Mrs. Narby know that he was guilty?" "Not at the time. But she noticed that he was always down at the Red Creek----" "I noticed that also, from the mud on his boots." "Well, then, one day she followed him there, and found that he had buried the notes and gold in a box. She made him confess all, which he did, only he never told her that Captain Kyles had made him sign a confession." "I wonder that Pope was so foolish as to do that." "He would not have done that had not Kyles promised to save him by taking him to South America. Then he thought that he was safe and Kyles certainly would have kept his word had not Trent and his policemen arrived. I was angry with Ritson for having warned Trent, but as events proved it was just as well."