I have neither wife, nor
child, and my wants are liberally supplied by you. I shall have to
leave _you_ the money saved in your service, for the want of an
heir; and I generally give half my wages to the poor through that very
box, being more anxious to lay up for myself treasures in heaven than
upon earth."
'"Yes, yes, I know all this, my good Ralph," cried the Doctor
impatiently; "your character is above suspicion. I want you to give me
some clue by which the real culprit could be brought to justice."
'The old man cast a hasty glance at his master, as if he could do so if
he pleased, but remained silent.
'The look did not escape Doctor Leatrim's keen eye. "Speak, Ralph!
Speak out like a man. I feel certain that you know something about it."
'"And suppose I do,"--he came a step nearer to his master, and spoke in
low, mysterious tones,--"that something had better remain unsaid. You
are a rich man; twenty or thirty pounds are nothing to you. You gave
twice that sum last week to get Hall out of jail; replace the money,
and depend upon my word that the felony will never be repeated."
'"And let the culprit escape without the punishment due to his crime--
and such a crime! Would that be just, old man?"
'"It would be merciful," returned Ralph, drily. "A knowledge of the
truth would do no good; it would only make your reverence unhappy."
'"I must not consult my own feelings on the subject," said the Rector,
greatly excited.
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