somewhat relieved next morning when Freddy and Teddy
put in an appearance punctually at school-time. Jonah considered it
expedient under the circumstances not to refer to Teddy's mutinous
conduct on the preceding day--a determination which afforded great
comfort to that young gentleman and which he put down by a mysterious
process of reasoning to Jeffreys' good offices on his behalf.

Jonah, however, on this particular morning felt far from comfortable.
It may have been the hot sultry day, or it may have been the general
oppression of his own feelings, which gave him a sense of something--
probably a thunderstorm impending. His class remarked that he was less
exacting than usual, and even Jeffreys became aware that his colleague
for once in a way was not himself.

The clock had just struck twelve, and the boys were beginning to look
forward to their usual break in half an hour's time, when the schoolroom
door suddenly opened, and disclosed the broad figure of Mr Rosher,
followed at a timid distance by Mrs Trimble.

Jonah's face turned pale; Freddy and Teddy opened their eyes to their
widest. Jeffreys, on hearing Freddy mutter "Father," looked round
curiously, to get a view of the father of his little friends.

Mr Rosher recognised Trimble with a nod.

"I've coom, you see, lad. I want to have a look at this murderer fellow
thee was talking about. Where is he?"

It was a thunderclap with a vengeance! Only two persons in the room
guessed all it meant.

"Coom, trot him out, man," repeated the farmer, noticing the hesitation
in Jonah's scared face. "Is that the chap yonder thee was telling me
of?" added he, pointing to Jeffreys.

It was all up with Galloway House, and Jonah knew it.

"Yes," said he.

Jeffrey's face became livid as he sprang to his feet.

"Stay where thou art," said the brawny farmer, motioning him back.
"Let's have a look at thee. So thee's a manslayer? Thou looks it."

A terrible pause followed--the pause of a man who struggles for words
that will not come.

He looked terrible indeed; with heaving chest and bloodless lips, and
eyes like the eyes of a hunted wolf. At length he gasped--

"Liar!" and advanced towards the affrighted Jonah.

But the sturdy Yorkshire-man stepped between.

"Nay, nay," said he, "one's enough. Stay where thou art, and let him
give chapter and verse--chapter and verse. He came to me last night,
and said thou wast a murderer, and I've coom to see if tho