"That is the fellow who murdered his stepfather, but escaped because
they could not bring it home to him," was ever in his mind. His
friends in vain argued with him against his thus shutting himself
off from the world. They assured him that there were very many
who, like themselves, were perfectly convinced of his innocence,
and who would rally round him and support him if he would give them
the least encouragement, but Ned shook his head.

"I dare say what you say is true," he would reply; "but I could
not do it--I must go on alone. It is as much as I can bear now."

And his friends saw that it was useless to urge him further.

On the day after his return to Marsden Luke Marner and Bill Swinton
came back on the coach from York, and after it was dark Ned walked
up to Varley and knocked at Bill's door.

On hearing who it was Bill threw on his cap and came out to him.
For a minute the lads stood with their hands clasped firmly in each
other's without a word being spoken.

"Thank God, Maister Ned," Bill said at last, "we ha' got thee
again!"

"Thank God too!" Ned said; "though I think I would rather that it
had gone the other way."

They walked along for some time without speaking again, and then
Ned said suddenly: