The squire had determined to be very indignant,—­very indignant even with the Secretary of State himself, to whose indifference he attributed the delay which had occurred;—­but almost more than indignant when he found that he was to be fobbed off with Mr. Brown.  But there was something in the gentleman’s voice which checked his indignation.  There was something in Mr. Brown’s eye, a mixture of good-humour and authority, which made him feel that he ought not to be angry with the gentleman till he was quite sure of the occasion.  Mr. Brown was a handsome hale old man with grey whiskers and greyish hair, with a well-formed nose and a broad forehead, carefully dressed with a light waistcoat and a checked linen cravat, wearing a dark-blue frockcoat, and very well made boots,—­an old man, certainly, but who looked as though old age must naturally be the happiest time of life.  When a man’s digestion is thoroughly good and his pockets adequately filled, it probably is so.  Such were the circumstances of Mr. Brown, who, as the squire looked at him, seemed to partake more of the nature of his nephew and brothers-in-law than of the Browns generally.

‘Yes, sir,’ said Mr. Caldigate; ’I have called about my son who, I think I may undertake to say, has been wrongly condemned, and is now wrongly retained in prison.’

‘You beg all the questions, Mr. Caldigate,’ said the permanent under-secretary, with a smile.

’I maintain that what you call the questions are now so clearly proved as not to admit of controversy.  No one can deny that a conspiracy was got up against my son.’

’I shall not deny it, certainly, Mr. Caldigate.  But in truth I know very little or nothing about it.’  The squire, who had been seated, rose from his chair,—­as in wrath,—­about to pour forth his indignation.  Why was he treated in this way,—­he who was there on a subject of such tragic interest to him?  When all the prospects, reputation, and condition of his son were at stake, he was referred to a gentleman who began by telling him that he knew nothing about the matter!  ’If you will sit down for a moment, Mr. Caldigate, I will explain all that can be explained,’ said Mr. Brown, who was weather-wise in such matters, and had seen the signs of a coming storm.

‘Certainly I will sit down.’

’In such cases as this the Secretary of State never sees those who are interested.  It is not right that he should do so.’

‘There might be somebody to do so.’

’But not somebody who has been concerned in the inquiry.  The Secretary of State, if he saw you, could only refuse to impart to you any portion of the information which he himself may possess, because it cannot be right that he should give an opinion in the matter while he himself is in doubt.  You may be sure that he will open his mouth to no one except to those from whom he may seek assistance, till he has been enabled to advise her Majesty that her Majesty’s pardon should be given or refused.’