He bowed and went his way. Lady Selina stood up, surveying her people.
“Quite obviously, Mr. Grimshaw gave an honest opinion against a kindly wish to help an old acquaintance.”
George Ball, knowing instinctively the temper of the villagers, and divining trouble, said tentatively:
“Be I to take John Exton into custody, my lady?”
“Yes.”
George Ball, attempting to justify himself before his fellow-villagers, added deprecatingly:
“It do seem as if the Hall couldn’t, so to speak, set fire to itself. All the same, my lady——”
“Well?”
“I be only parish constable, my lady, and if I exceeds my dooty I be liable to lose my job.”
“I will assume all responsibility,” the lady of the manor assured him. Thus fortified, Ball turned to John.