“Well, it is a dreadful thing!” concluded Lady Augusta.
Meanwhile, at the very moment her ladyship was speaking, the magistrates were in the town-hall in full conclave—the case before them. The news had spread—had excited interest far and wide; the bench was crowded, and the court was one dense sea of heads.
Arthur appeared, escorted by his brother Hamish and by Roland Yorke. Roland was in high feather, throwing his haughty glances everywhere, for he had an inkling of what was to be the termination of the affair, and did not conceal his triumph. Mr. Galloway also was of their party.
Mr. Galloway was the first witness put forth by Mr. Butterby. The latter gentleman was in high feather also, believing he saw his way clear to a triumphant conviction. Mr. Galloway was questioned; and for some minutes it all went on swimmingly.
“On the afternoon of the loss, before you closed your letter, who were in your office?”
“My clerks—Roland Yorke and Arthur Channing.”
“They saw the letter, I believe?”
“They did.”
“And the bank-note?”
“Most probably.”