“I object to this cross-examination,” said Richard, hotly. “This is not a magistrate.”
“Parson asked thee a plain question, lad; give him a plain answer,” said Joe, quietly. “Thou’st nowt to fear.”
“No, then,” said Richard, loudly. “I was at home.”
“Mr Banks, then, you had better take twenty men; you go with these twenty, Podmore; and—”
He hesitated a moment, when Joe Banks said:
“Master Richard will take another twenty.”
“And another score will perhaps go with me,” said the vicar. “Then we’ll each take one road; and mind, my men, every ditch, copse, and pond must be well searched; and, above all, mind and ask at every cottage on the road, who has passed, and what carts or carriages have gone along since last night.”
The parties were soon told off, when the vicar exclaimed:
“But stop! There were two strangers here yesterday.”
“Yes,” chorused several. “Two ill-looking chaps from one of the big towns.”