a reversal of the verdict as could be effected by a pardon from the Queen.  The one exception was very pellucid, very unanswerable, and very cold-blooded.  It might have been written by Judge Bramber himself, but that Judge Bramber would sooner have cut his hand off than have defiled it by making public aught that had come before him judicially or officially.  But all Judge Bramber’s arguments were there set forth.  Dick wished his father at once to proceed against the paper for libel because the paper said that his word could not be taken for much.  The postmark theory was exposed to derision.  There was no doubt much in the postage-stamp, but not enough to upset the overwhelming weight of evidence by which the verdict had been obtained.  And so the case became really public, and the newspapers were bought and read with the avidity which marks those festive periods in which some popular criminal is being discussed at every breakfast-table.

Much of this had occurred before the intelligence of Scotland Yard had been set to work in obedience to Judge Bramber.  The papers had been a day or two in the Home Office, and three or four days in the judge’s hands before he could look at them.  To Hester and the old squire at Folking the incarceration of that injured darling was the one thing in all the world which now required attention.  To redress that terrible grievance, judges, secretaries, thrones, and parliaments, should have left their wonted tracks and thought of nothing till it had been accomplished.  But Judge Bramber, in the performance of his duties, was never hurried; and at the Home Office a delay but of three or four days amounted to official haste.  Thus it came to pass that all that Bagwax had done and all that Shand had said were known to the public at large before the intelligence of Scotland Yard was at work,—­before anybody had as yet done anything.

Among the public were Euphemia Smith and Mr. Crinkett,—­Adamson also, and Anna Young, the other witness.  Since the trial, this confraternity had not passed an altogether fraternal life.  When the money had been paid, the woman had insisted on having the half.  She, indeed, had carried the cheque for the amount away from the Jericho Coffee-house.  It had been given into her hands and those of Crinkett conjointly, and she had secured the document.  The amount was payable to their joint order, and each had felt that it would be better to divide the spoil in peace.  Crinkett had taken his half with many grumblings, because he had, in truth, arranged the matter and hitherto paid the expenses.  Then the woman had wished to start at once for Australia, taking the other female with her.  But to this Crinkett had objected.  They would certainly, he said, be arrested for breaking their bail at whatever port they might reach,—­and why should they go, seeing that the money had been paid to them on the distinct understanding that they were not pledged to abandon the prosecution.