But the Boltons were still assured.  None of them had as yet given any sign of yielding.  Robert Bolton knew very well that Shand was at Folking, but had not asked to see him.  He and Mr. Seely were on different sides, and could not discuss the matter; but their ideas were the same.  It was incredible to Robert that Dick Shand should appear just at this moment, unless as part of an arranged plan.  He could not read the whole plot; but was sure that there was a plot.  It was held in his mind as a certain fact, that John Caldigate would not have paid away that large sum of money had he not thought that by doing so he was buying off Crinkett and the other witnesses.  Of course there had been a marriage in Australia, and therefore the arrival of Dick Shand was to him only a lifting of the curtain for another act of the play.  An attempt was to be made to get Caldigate out of prison, which attempt it was his duty to oppose.  Caldigate had, he thought, deceived and inflicted a terrible stain on his family; and therefore Caldigate was an enemy upon whom it behoved him to be revenged.  This feeling was the stronger in his bosom, because Caldigate had been brought into the family by him.

But when Dick Shand called upon him at his office, he would not deny himself.  ’I have been told by some people that, as I am here in the neighbourhood, I ought to come and speak to you,’ said Dick.  The ’some people’ had been, in the first instance, Mr. Ralph Holt, the farmer.  But Dick had discussed the matter with Mr. Bromley, and Mr. Bromley had thought that Shand’s story should be told direct to Hester’s brother.

‘If you have anything to say, Mr. Shand, I am ready to hear it.’

’All this about a marriage at Ahalala between John Caldigate and Mrs. Smith is a got-up plan, Mr. Bolton.’

‘The jury did not seem to think so, Mr. Shand.’

‘I wasn’t here then to let them know the truth.’  Robert Bolton raised his eyebrows, marvelling at the simplicity of the man who could fancy that his single word would be able to weigh down the weight of evidence which had sufficed to persuade twelve men and such a judge as Judge Bramber.  ’I was with Caldigate all the time, and I’m sure of what I’m saying The two weren’t on speaking terms when they were said to be married.’

’Of course, Mr. Shand, as you have come to me, I will hear what you may have to say.  But what is the use of it?  The man has been tried and found guilty.’

‘They can let him out again if he’s innocent.’

’The Queen can pardon him, no doubt;—­but even the Queen cannot quash the conviction.  The evidence was as clear as noonday.  The judge and the jury and the public were all in one mind.’

‘But I wasn’t here, then,’ said Dick Shand, with perfect confidence.  Robert Bolton could only look at him and raise his eyebrows.  He could not tell him to his face that no unprejudiced person would believe the evidence of such a witness.  ’He’s your brother-in-law said Dick, ’and I supposed you’d be glad to know that he was innocent.’