The earl rose, and, bidding the farmer good morning, entered his carriage and was driven off.
Mr. Jamblin was a little dazed, and it took him some minutes to gather his thoughts together.
When this had been done he sought John and Maude Ashbrook, who were in the garden at the rear of his house.
He made them acquainted with all that had transpired in the best parlour.
His young friends were equally as astonished as himself, but they both coincided in the opinion that Miss Jamblin ought at once, without hesitation or delay, to pay a visit to the earl’s palatial residence.
Maude went upstairs to communicate the intelligence to her friend Patty.
“He be a real gentleman, every inch on him,” said the farmer to young Ashbrook; “that I always knew, but I didn’t think he was so tender-hearted.”
“His manner is usually austere,” said Ashbrook, “but I suppose it’s the way wi’ most of the big pots—but he’s none the worse for that. His heart’s in the right place. And so he’s going to employ a detective?”
“Yes he be.”
“What is your opinion? Do ’ee think it wer’ that Giles, as used to work here, as did the foul deed?”