could not but be prejudicial to the girl,—­not on that account would the baronet be responsible for her abduction.  John Crumb was thirsting for blood and was not very capable in his present mood of arguing the matter out coolly, and Roger, little as he toyed his cousin, was not desirous that all Suffolk should know that Sir Felix Carbury had been thrashed within an inch of his life by John Crumb of Bungay.  ’I’ll tell you what I’ll do,’ said he, putting his hand kindly on the old man’s shoulder.  ’I’ll go up myself by the first train to-morrow.  I can trace her better than Mr Crumb can do, and you will both trust me.’

‘There’s not one in the two counties I’d...