human
Oh, I seed Muster Alan; yes, I seed un. On the night o' the funeral I were in the yard, a lookin' at 'em as I'd tucked away, an' I clapped eyes on Muster Alan. He wor' lookin' at the vault where I'd put away the last of 'em, he wor.
gpt
About what time was that?
human
Well, it might be about ten, Muster Phelps, sir.
gpt
And what were you doing out of bed at that hour?
human
Lookin' at 'em, retorted Jarks, wiping his mouth.
gpt
Lor' bless you, Muster Phelps, all in the yard's m'own handiwork save some of the old uns. I like to see 'em all quiet an' humble in their narrow homes. Ay, an' I seed Muster Alan, an' he sez, 'I've come to look round, Jarks, an' you needn't say as I've bin about. Here's money for ye.' Ay, he did say that, an' guv me money. Course I said nothin' as there isn't no law agin folk walkin' round to see how them as has passed away is gettin' along.
human
How long was Mr. Thorold with you?
gpt
It might be about five minutes, sir. He went to ketch a train at the half-hour to go back to Miss Sophy--hopin' I sees you well, miss!
human
Why didn't you tell me this, Jarks?
gpt
Lor' bless you, Miss Sophy, 'twas little use vexin' you. 'Sides, when I found Muster Marlow was gone, arter bein' put away comfortable-like in the vault, I did say to Muster Alan arterwards as it wasn't friendly-like of him to upset my handiwork. But Muster Alan he says as he had nowt to do with the takin' of him, an' how he got out of the vault, being screwed and soldered down, was more than he knew. So he being the squire, Miss Sophy, it wasn't my place to say nothin'. I knows the station of life I've bin called to.
human
It was your duty to come to me,
gpt
Naw, naw! Jarks shook his head.
human
I say he did!
gpt
Ay, ay! You thinks you knows a lot. But I tell you, you don't. If it wasn't that I let slip to that fat un while mazed wi' drink, as I seed Muster Alan, you'd niver have know'd naught. Naw! But when the wine's in Jarks he talks foolish-like. Ay, he babbles as a babe does Jarks!
human
Who is this fat man he speaks of?
gpt
My other witness, replied Lestrange promptly.
human
You can go, Jarks. Send in Cicero.
gpt
As I wor sayin', Muster Phelps, 'twouldn't be right to blame Jarks for holdin' the tongue o' he, Muster Alan wantin' it so. But the red wine--which is to say, beer an' such like--maketh the heart of Jarks glad, as sez Holy Scripture. An' I'll go now, wishin' you an' Miss Sophy happiness an' long life.
human
You see, said Lestrange, with a triumphant look at the other two,
gpt
Thorold was in Heathton, and in the churchyard on that night.
human
It would seem so; but that does not prove he took away the body,
gpt
My second witness can prove that. Come in, Cicero.
human
Pax vobiscum,
gpt
This is not the time for playing the fool, he said cuttingly.
human
You are a cunning rogue, but some day you will overreach yourself. Now, then, out with your lie.
gpt
Lie! I scorn to pervert the truth, reverend sir. I shall tell the truth _in puris naturalibus_.
human
I hope not,
gpt
Which means, reverend sir, went on the old scoundrel coolly,
human
But not the body of my father,
gpt
No, but I saw that taken away from the vault. Undoubtedly, Miss Marlow, the body was carried to the hut for the purpose of dissection by Mr. Thorold. He was foolish enough to leave behind him evidence of his iniquitous purposes. Behold! and Cicero produced a lancet in his most dramatic manner.
human
Nota bene,
gpt
A. T.
human
You found this in the hut?
gpt
I did, reverend sir. It must have been dropped by Mr. Thorold. If not, how did it come there? I pause for a reply.
human
Why did you not tell Mr. Thorold about this?
gpt
I bided my time----
human
To blackmail him!
gpt
A harsh word, Miss Sophia. Certainly I would have demanded a small payment from Mr. Thorold, had I shown him that. But Mr. Thorold insulted me, it matters not how. _Nemo me impune lacessit_, Miss Sophia, and I determined to punish the young man. My military friend was good enough to enter into partnership with me for the purpose of clearing up this matter, hence I told him of my discovery. There is no more to be said.
human
Save this, put in Lestrange, who appeared to be getting somewhat weary of Cicero's cumbersome diction,
gpt
I reserve my opinion,
human
I don't! cried Sophy, rising.
gpt
If fifty men, with fifty lancets, came to tell me this story, I would not believe a word against Mr. Thorold. He can explain. I believe in him firmly, and, to prove my belief, I shall marry him as soon as I can.
human
You'll do nothing of the sort! cried Lestrange, losing his temper.
gpt
I am your father, and I command you to come with me.
human
And I am my own mistress, and I refuse, she said quietly.
gpt
You can't frighten me. I don't believe your stories.
human
Nor do I, said the Rector.
gpt
When Mr. Thorold comes back, he will, no doubt, be able to explain his presence in Heathton on that night, and also the loss of his lancet.
human
He shall explain it to the police!
gpt
No, no, said Cicero, apprehensive at this mention of his natural enemies;
human
How much do you want?
gpt
I do not understand,
human
I think you do. How much do you require to hold your tongue?
gpt
Say five thousand,
human
I will let you know my price----
gpt
Ah!
human
When I have seen the police,
gpt
He will not go to the police, said he, in a hurried voice.
human
Might I suggest five----
gpt
Be off, you scoundrel!
human
Well?
gpt
Alan can explain,
human
But if Lestrange goes to the police?
gpt
He won't, she said.
human
Cicero will stop that. Meanwhile I wait for Alan.