Squire Hawkins was in the room with him this morning, and had related in detail what had happened to Ben.
"It is most disgraceful, sir, and you must punish the ringleaders at once," he told him. "That will teach the others a lesson."
"And who are the ringleaders?" Stubbles asked.
"Why, you know, don't you? They are Jake Jukes and Tom Totten; both very dangerous men."
"And who put them up to the job?"
"Did any one?"
"Certainly. It was Jake's hired man; he's the one who did it."
"But he was in the city, so I understand, and didn't get back until the deed was about done."
"H'm," and Stubbles gave a grunt of disgust, "he was the chief mover in the affair, mark my word. I've had my eye on that fellow ever since he came to the place. He's a stirrer up of trouble. I knew it from the first, and did my best to get rid of him, but he defied me and has remained, notwithstanding my orders for him to leave."
"Then it will be necessary to make an example of him, sir," the Squire replied. "Just say the word, and I shall have him brought before me."