The question was put so quaintly, in such confiding simplicity, that a smile rose to William's face. "In awe of the police, I expect," he answered. "The Dares, while his fate was uncertain, have been rusticating. Cyril told me to-day, that now that the accusation was proved to have been false, they were 'coming out' again."
"Coming out in what? Villainy?"
"He left the 'what' to be inferred. In grandeur, I expect. The established innocence of Herbert——"
"If you apply that word to the man, William Halliburton, you are as black as he is."
William remembered Henry's tribulation both of mind and body, and went on without the shadow of a retort.
"I apply it to him in relation to the crime of which he was charged. His acquittal and release have caused the Dares to hold up their heads again. But they have lost caste in Helstonleigh."
"Caste!" was the scornful ejaculation of Henry Ashley. "They never had any caste to lose. Does the master intend to retain Cyril in the manufactory?"
"I have heard nothing to the contrary. If he retained him whilst the accusation was hanging over Herbert Dare's head, he will not be likely to discard him now it is removed."
"Removed!" shrieked Henry. "If one accusation has been removed, has not a worse taken its place?"
"Would it be just to visit on one brother the sins of another?"