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The sergeant's military title was henceforth dropped. Mr. Linthorne introduced him to his acquaintances who soon began to flock in, when it was known that the squire's granddaughter had come home, and that he was willing to see his friends and join in society again as "My friend Mr. Wilks, the father of my poor boy's wife." And the impression made was generally favourable.
"Have you any other witnesses?" the magistrate asked James. "Only the little girl, sir, but I did not bring her up. She is so little, I thought it was better she should not come, but I can send for her if you wish it." "It is not necessary," Mr. Linthorne said. "I have heard quite sufficient.
Linthorne well, and that Horton had gone to sea with him for the first time as a midshipman, and that there was certainly something queer about him as a boy, for Linthorne had specially asked him to keep his eye upon him, and had begged him, frankly, to let him know how he conducted himself. That rather set me against him, you know." "I don't think that was anything," James urged.
But Richard's tutor, on thinking the matter over, determined to speak to the squire. Only the evening before, Mr. Linthorne had surprised him by asking him several questions as to Richard's progress and conduct, and had said something about examining him himself, to see how he was getting on. This had caused Mr.
Linthorne rose, and saying to his nephew, "Follow me, sir," went to his study. Without saying a word as to what had passed, he took down some books from the shelves, and proceeded to examine Richard in them. A few minutes sufficed to show that the boy was almost absolutely ignorant of Latin, while a few questions in geography and history showed that he was equally deficient in these also.
Linthorne, and would do much to save him pain. I regarded this act, not as one of treason against the country, but as one of personal enmity to myself, and I am sure that Lieutenant Horton, himself, did not think of the harm that his letter might do to the cause, but was blinded by his passion against me."
"I have no enmity against him, sir," James said, "though I own that his manner impressed me with the idea that he regarded me as an enemy. The fact is, we lived near each other as boys, and we had a fight. I got the best of it. He gave an account of the affair, which was not exactly correct, to his uncle, Mr. Linthorne, a wealthy landowner and a magistrate.
"You must have wondered, ma'am, a good deal," the sergeant began when they were alone, "why I, who get my living by travelling the country with a peep show, wished to place my grandchild in a position above her, and to have her taught to be a little lady. It is time now that I should tell you. Aggie is my granddaughter, but she is the granddaughter, too, of Squire Linthorne up at the Hall."
Walsham said, "for I love her dearly, and she has been a great pleasure to me; but what you are talking about is simply nonsense. My son is a good boy, and will, I hope, grow up an honourable gentleman like his father; but he cannot look so high as the granddaughter of Squire Linthorne."
I have now to hear what the accused has to say. "Now, tell your story." James now gave his version of the affair. When he had ended, Mr. Linthorne said gravely, "Have you any witnesses to call?" "Yes, sir, there are two fishermen outside who saw it." "Bring them in," the magistrate said to the constable. Not a word was spoken in the justice room until the constable returned.
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