At a downward wave of the earl's hand they stayed.
"Why did you not report to my secretary the errors in this description?"
"The proclamation had been posted far and wide before I knew of it; and I was afraid to mention the marks, lest I should be further questioned concerning them, and I thought to take Vavasour myself."
Again the earl's hand moved, and the levers moved.
"Mercy, my lord, mercy!" groaned the gipsy.
"You kept the knowledge to yourself, at the imminent risk of the murderer's escape, in hope to make sure of the reward."
"Yes."
"When and where did you inflict the wounds?"
"Last August in Melwood Priory. Mercy, my lord."
"To what end?"