would not allow the letter addressed to the old
squire to be retained for the slow operations of the regular messenger,
but sent it off manfully by horse express, before the dawn of day, so
that it reached the old squire almost as soon as the other letters
reached the prison. The squire, who was an early man, was shaving
himself when the despatch was brought into his room with an intimation
that the boy on horseback wanted to know what he was to do next. The boy
of course got his breakfast and Mr. Caldigate read his letter, which was
as follows:--

'HOME OFFICE,--_October_, 187-.

'My DEAR SIR,--When you did me the honour of calling upon me here I
was able to do no more than express my sympathy as to the misfortune
which had fallen upon your family, and to explain to you, I fear not
very efficiently, that at that moment the mouths of all of us here
were stopped by official prudence as to the matter which was
naturally so near your heart. I have now the very great pleasure of
informing you that the Secretary of State has this morning received
her Majesty's command to issue a pardon for your son. The official
intimation will be sent to him and to the county authorities by this
post, and by the time that this reaches you he will be a free man.

'In writing to you, I need hardly explain that the form of a pardon
from the Throne is the only mode allowed by the laws of the country
for setting aside a verdict which has been found in error upon false
evidence. Unfortunately, perhaps, we have not the means of annulling
a criminal conviction by a second trial; and therefore, on such
occasions as this,--occasions which are very rare,--we have but this
lame way of redressing a great grievance. I am happy to think that
in this case the future effect will be as complete as though the
verdict had been reversed. As to the suffering which has been
already endured by your son, by his much-injured wife, and by
yourself, I am aware that no redress can be given.

It is one of those cases in which the honest and good have to
endure a portion of the evil produced by the dishonesty of the
wicked. I can only add to this my best wishes for your son's
happiness on his return to his home, and express a hope that you
will understand that I would most willingly have made your visit to
the Home Office more satisfactory had it been wit