"
"That is because you are offended with me. I endeavoured to protect
a poor man against a rich man, and that in this country is cause of
offence."
After leaving the attorney's office they called on Mr. Mainwaring
the rector, and found that he knew, or professed to know, a great
deal more about Goarly, than they had learned from Bearside.
According to his story Nickem, who was clerk to Mr. Masters, had
Goarly in safe keeping somewhere. The rector indeed was acquainted
with all the details. Scrobby had purchased the red herrings and
strychnine, and had employed Goarly to walk over by night to
Rufford and fetch them. The poison at that time had been duly
packed in the herrings. Goarly had done this and had, at Scrobby's
instigation, laid the bait down in Dillsborough Wood. Nickem was
now at work trying to learn where Scrobby had purchased the poison,
as it was feared that Goarly's evidence alone would not suffice to
convict the man. But if the strychnine could be traced and the
herrings, then there would be almost a certainty of punishing
Scrobby.
"And what about Goarly?" asked the Senator.
"He would escape of course," said the rector. "He would get a
little money and after such an experience would probably become a
good friend to fox-hunting."
"And quite a respectable man!" The rector did not guarantee this
but seemed to think that there would at any rate be promise of
improved conduct.
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