“Then tell me this, on your honour as a gentleman: did you assault Vane Lee?”
“No!” cried Distin.
“Did you meet him in the wood the day before yesterday?”
“No.”
“Did you encounter him anywhere near there, quarrel with and strike him?”
“No, no, no,” cried Distin, “and I swear—”
“There is no need to swear, Mr Distin. You are on your honour, sir,” said the rector.
“Well, sir, on my honour I did not see Vane Lee from the time he left this study the day before yesterday till I found him lying below the chalk-bank by that stream.”
“Thank you, Distin. I am much obliged for your frank disclaimer,” said the rector, gravely. “As I intimated to you all this was not necessary to convince me, but to clear away the scales from this man’s eyes. Now, Bates,” he continued, turning rather sternly to the constable, “are you satisfied?”
“No, sir,” said the man bluntly, “not a bit.”