“What can we do, my lord, for these poor people?” asked the Countess, earnestly. “Is there no means of obtaining the man’s release?”
“I fear not,” said the Earl. “Who is the prosecutor, Mr. Bales?”
“The bank, I think, your lordship. It is a question whether the money belonged to the bank or to Mr. Flooks. The bank repudiated all responsibility at the outset.”
“Oh, but surely they could be induced to withdraw from the affair, or make it up in some way, seeing that the money is restored?” said the Countess.
“There is a serious offence, my love, called compounding a felony, which might be an obstruction to your wishes,” said his lordship. “My friend, Lord Tufton, is chairman of Quarter Sessions, I must talk to him upon the subject to-morrow; he can advise us best.”
“Meanwhile, however, we can do something for this woman Dibble. She was very kind to Lieutenant Somerton,” said the Countess; “we must take care of her.”
“I go to town in the morning,” said Bales. “I shall be happy to be your messenger to her.”
“By what train, Mr. Bales, do you leave?” her ladyship asked.
“At ten o’clock, your ladyship.”
“That means half-past nine from Montem?”