“I’m sure it’s not mine,” and “I’m sure it’s none of mine,” burst from every mouth, whilst they looked at each other in dismay; for none but Hardy, Loveit and Tarlton knew the secret. “My cane,” said Mr. Trueman, and Mr. Power handed him the cane. Loveit groaned from the bottom of his heart. Tarlton leaned back against the wall with a black countenance. Hardy looked with a steady eye at the cane.
“But first,” said Mr. Trueman, laying down the cane, “let us see. Perhaps we may find out the owner of this handkerchief another way,” examining the corners. It was torn almost to pieces; but luckily the corner that was marked remained.
“J. T.!” cried Mr. Trueman. Every eye turned upon the guilty Tarlton, who, now as pale as ashes and trembling in every limb, sank down upon his knees, and in a whining voice begged for mercy. “Upon my word and honour, sir, I’ll tell you all; I’d never have thought of stealing the apples if Loveit had not first told me of them; and it was Tom who first put the poisoning the dog into my head. It was he that carried the meat, wasn’t it?” said he, appealing to Hardy, whose word he knew must be believed. “Oh, dear sir!” continued he as Mr. Trueman began to move towards him, “do let me off; pray do let me off this time! I’m not the only one, indeed, sir! I hope you won’t make me an example for the rest. It’s very hard I’m to be flogged more than they!”
“I’m not going to flog you.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Tarlton, getting up and wiping his eyes.
“You need not thank me,” said Mr. Trueman. “Take your handkerchief—go out of this room—out of this house; let me never see you more.”
“If I had any hopes of him,” said Mr. Trueman, as he shut the door after him;—“if I had any hopes of him, I would have punished him;—but I have none. Punishment is meant only to make people better; and those who have any hopes of themselves will know how to submit to it.”
At these words Loveit first, and immediately all the rest of the guilty party, stepped out of the ranks, confessed their fault, and declared themselves ready to bear any punishment their master thought proper.
“Oh, they have been punished enough,” said the old man; “forgive them, sir.”
Hardy looked as if he wished to speak. “Not because you ask it,” said Mr. Trueman to the guilty penitents, “though I should be glad to oblige you—it wouldn’t be just; but there,” pointing to Hardy, “there is one who has merited a reward; the highest I can give him is that of pardoning his companions.”