The fellow was not a burglar on the scout, but a skulking eavesdropper.
"You've been listening, my friend," said Leicester, angrily, and with an ominous gathering light in his eyes.
"That's a falsehood!" shouted Jem, who had been imbibing ale—and some quantity of it—at the "Blue Lion".
"Let that teach you greater caution and respect for the future, my friend," said Leicester, and he struck the daring scoundrel a straight blow full of unmitigated scorn.
Jem started, turned livid with rage, fear and hate, then slunk away like a beaten hound and stole off.
After delivering punishment to Jem for his eavesdropping, Leicester walked round to the stables and ordered the Cedars' carriage.
When the carriage was ready he returned to the drawing-room, and, going up to his mother, whispered:
"I have ordered the carriage for you; do not let them think you are surprised."
Mrs. Dodson nodded and looked up at him inquiringly. She saw that something had gone wrong.