There was a pause. Then Tempest observed quietly, "If that is all you have to tell, Mrs Jeal, you can go. I will speak to Mr Haverleigh."
"But will I not—"
"You will do nothing," interrupted the vicar. "Go away and hold your tongue, lest you get into trouble."
"You're going to let him off, I see," said Mrs Jeal, with a toss of her grey head. "Well, I have done my share. Good-day, gentlemen," and she sailed out of the room quite satisfied that she had ruined Leo.
When the three were alone Tempest addressed Leo, who sat silently beside the table. "Leo," he said sadly, "I do not want you to get into trouble. If you will confess to me that you did what Mrs Jeal says I will see about getting the cup back and say nothing more about the matter. I will give you money to leave the town."
"I tell you I am innocent!" cried Leo passionately. "Why do you want me to confess a crime of which I am not guilty? I shall not leave Colester. Here I stay until my innocence is acknowledged."
"But the evidence against you," urged the vicar, sorely perplexed. "You were seen about the chapel on the night the cup was stolen. Your debts are paid, yet Mrs Gabriel did not give you the money, and you have none of your own. And now Mrs Jeal says she saw you pawn the sacred vessel."
"I admit that the evidence is strong," said Leo, recovering his calmness. "All the same I am guiltless. I was at the chapel on that night. I was to meet Sybil since you had forbidden me to meet her."
"Please leave my daughter's name out of this," said Tempest, an angry spot on each cheek. He was annoyed at the mention of the meeting, but in the presence of Raston he controlled himself out of pride.
"I can't leave Sybil's name out of it," said Leo, sadly. "I would if I could; but she is as anxious as I am that I should recover my good name. I did meet Sybil, and she will tell you that I left her at the door of the Vicarage before ten o'clock. I therefore could not have stolen the cup. I got the money to pay my debts from Frank Hale."