’I never saw him in my life till a few days ago.  He is very queer, you know—­very queer indeed.  I’m a lawyer, Mr Harding, practising in London;—­an attorney, that is.  At each separate announcement Mr Harding bowed, and when Toogood named his special branch of his profession Mr Harding bowed lower than before, as though desirous of showing that he had great respect for attorneys.  ’And of course I’m anxious if only out of respect for the family, that my wife’s cousin should pull through this little difficulty, if possible.’

’And for the sake of the poor man himself too, and for his wife and children;—­and for the sake of the cloth.’

’Exactly; taking it all together it’s such a pity, you know.  I think, Mr Harding, he can hardly have intended to steal the money.’

‘I’m sure he did not.’

‘It’s very hard to be sure of anybody, Mr Harding—­very hard.’

’I feel quite sure he did not.  He has been a most pious, hardworking clergyman.  I cannot bring myself to think that he is guilty.  What does the Latin proverb say?  “No one of a sudden becomes most base".’

’But the temptation, Mr Harding, was very strong.  He was awfully badgered about his debts.  That butcher at Silverbridge was playing the mischief with him.’

’All the butchers in Barsetshire could not make an honest man steal money, and I think that Mr Crawley is an honest man.  You’ll excuse me for being a little hot about one of my own order.’

’Why, he’s my cousin—­or rather, my wife’s.  But the fact is, Mr Harding, we must get hold of the dean as soon as possible; and I’m going to send an gentleman after him.’

‘To send a gentleman after him?’ said Mr Harding, almost in dismay.

‘Yes, I think that will be best.’

‘I’m afraid he’ll have to go a long way, Mr Toogood.’

‘The dean, I’m told, is in Jerusalem.’

’I’m afraid he is—­or on his journey there.  He’s to be there for the Easter week, and Sunday week will be Easter Sunday.  But why should the gentleman want to go to Jerusalem after the dean?’

Then Mr Toogood explained as well as he was able that the dean might have something to say on the subject which would serve Mr Crawley’s defence.  ‘We shouldn’t leave any stone unturned,’ said Mr Toogood.  ’As far as I can judge, Crawley still thinks—­or half thinks—­that he got the cheque from your son-in-law.’  Mr Harding shook his head sorrowfully.  ‘I’m not saying he did, you know,’ continued Mr Toogood.  ’I can’t see myself how it is possible;—­but still, we ought not to leave any stone unturned.  And Mrs Arabin—­can you tell me at all where we shall find her?’

‘Has she anything to do with it, Mr Toogood?’

’I can’t quite say that she has, but it’s just possible.  As I said before, Mr Harding, we mustn’t leave a stone unturned.  They’re not expected here till the end of April?’

‘About the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth, I think.’