Polly gathered her work together and went out. Then Ned went over
to Luke, who was looking at him with surprise, and laid his hand
on his shoulder.

"Luke," he said, "I want you to tell me exactly how it was that
you came to tell Bill to write that letter to Mr. Wakefield?"

Luke started and then looked savagely over at Bill, who stood
twirling his cap in his hand.

"Oi couldn't help it, Luke," he said humbly. "Oi didn't mean vor
to say it, but he got it out of me somehow. He knowed my fist on
the paper, and, says he, sudden loike, 'Who war the man as murdered
Foxey?' What was oi vor to say? He says at once as he knowed the
idea of writing that letter would never ha' coom into my head; and
so the long and short of it be, as your name slipped owt somehow,
and there you be."

"Now, Luke," Ned said soothingly, "I want to know whether there was
a man who was ready to take my place in the dock had I been found
guilty, and if so, who he was. I shall keep the name as a secret.
I give you my word of honor. After he had promised to come forward
and save my life that is the least I can do, though, as I told
Bill, if I could bring it home to him in any other way I should feel
myself justified in doing so. It may be that he would be willing to
go across the seas, and when he is safe there to write home saying
that he did it."

"Yes, oi was afraid that soom sich thawt might be in your moind,