pipe on the table at his elbow, and
a veteran pointer at his feet, had already given audience to three
distinguished members of the Feverel blood, who had come separately,
according to their accustomed secretiveness, and with one object. In the
morning it was Sir Austin himself. Shortly after his departure, arrived
Austin Wentworth; close on his heels, Algernon, known about Lobourne as
the Captain, popular wherever he was known. Farmer Blaize reclined in
considerable elation. He had brought these great people to a pretty low
pitch. He had welcomed them hospitably, as a British yeoman should;
but not budged a foot in his demands: not to the baronet: not to the
Captain: not to good young Mr. Wentworth. For Farmer Blaize was a solid
Englishman; and, on hearing from the baronet a frank confession of the
hold he had on the family, he determined to tighten his hold, and
only relax it in exchange for tangible advantages--compensation to his
pocket, his wounded person, and his still more wounded sentiments: the
total indemnity being, in round figures, three hundred pounds, and a
spoken apology from the prime offender, young Mister Richard. Even then
there was a reservation. Provided, the farmer said, nobody had been
tampering with any of his witnesses. In that ease Farmer Blaize declared
the money might go, and he would transport Tom Bakewell, as he had sworn
he would. And it goes hard, too, with an accomplice, by law, added the
farmer, knocking the ashes leisurely out of his pipe. He had no wish to
bring any disgrace anywhere; he respected the inmates of Raynham Abbey,
as in duty bound; he should be sorry to see them in trouble. Only no
tampering with his witnesses. He was a man for Law. Rank was much: money
was much: but Law was more. In this country Law was above the sovereign.
To tamper with the Law was treason to the realm.

"I come to you direct," the baronet explained. "I tell you candidly
what way I discovered my son to be mixed up in this miserable affair. I
promise you indemnity for your loss, and an apology that shall, I trust,
satisfy your feelings, assuring you that to tamper with witnesses is not
the province of a Feverel. All I ask of you in return is, not to press
the prosecution. At present it rests with you. I am bound to do all that
lies in my power for this imprisoned man. How and wherefore my son was
prompted to suggest, or assist in, such an act, I cannot explain, for I
do not know."

"Hum!" said the farm