“It is not necessary,” Mr. Linthorne said.  “I have heard quite sufficient.  The manner in which you and these fishermen have given your evidence convinces me that you are speaking the truth, and I am sorry that you should have been placed in this position.  You will understand that this is not a formal court, and therefore that there is no question of discharging you.  I can only say that, having heard the story of what took place at this fight between you and my nephew, I am convinced that you did what any other boy of spirit would have done, under the same circumstances, and that the punishment which you administered to him was thoroughly deserved.

“Good morning!”

James Walsham and his witnesses left the room.  Mr. Linthorne rose, and saying to his nephew, “Follow me, sir,” went to his study.

Without saying a word as to what had passed, he took down some books from the shelves, and proceeded to examine Richard in them.  A few minutes sufficed to show that the boy was almost absolutely ignorant of Latin, while a few questions in geography and history showed that he was equally deficient in these also.

“That will do,” the squire said.  “Go up to your room, and remain there until I send for you.”

An hour after this a dog cart came round to the door.  Mr. Robertson took his place in it with his trunk, and was driven away to Exeter, never to return.

For two days Richard remained a prisoner in his room.  His meals were brought up to him, but the servant who came with them answered no questions, telling him that the squire’s orders were that he was not to hold any conversation with him.  There was, indeed, a deep pleasure among the servants at the Hall, at the knowledge that Richard Horton was in disgrace.  The exact circumstances of the affair were unknown, for the fishermen had not been present when Richard had told his story, and Mrs. Walsham, who was much shocked when James told her the circumstances, had impressed upon him that it was better to say nothing more about it.

“You are clear in the matter, Jim, and that is enough for you.  The squire will, no doubt, punish his nephew for the wicked lies he has told.  Some day, you know, the boy will be master here.  Don’t let us set everyone against him by telling this disgraceful story.”

So, beyond the fact that there had been a fight between James Walsham and the squire’s nephew, and that Richard Horton had been thrashed, and that the squire himself had said that it served him right, Sidmouth knew nothing of what had taken place in the justice room.

Mr. Linthorne’s first impulse had been to send his nephew at once back to his parents, with the message that he would have nothing more to do with him; but, though he had the reputation of being a stern man, the squire was a very kind-hearted one.  He was shocked to find that the boy was a liar, and that, to shield himself, he had invented this falsehood against his opponent; but upon reflection, he acknowledged that he himself had been to blame in the matter.  He had taken the boy into his house, had assigned to him the position of his heir, and had paid no further attention to him.