He had not, indeed, used his money openly, as the Senator
had afterwards done; but that was not Scrobby's way. If Goarly had
been ill-used any help was legitimate, and the party as a party was
proud of their man. But when it came to pass that poison had been
laid down, "wholesale" as the hunting men said, in Dillsborough
Wood, in the close vicinity of Goarly's house, then the party
hesitated. Such strategy as that was disgusting;--but was there
reason to think that Scrobby had been concerned in the matter?
Scrobby still had an income, and ate roast meat or boiled every day
for his dinner. Was it likely that such a man should deal in
herrings and strychnine?
Nickem had been at work for the last three months, backed up by
funds which had latterly been provided by the Lord's agent, and had
in truth run the matter down. Nickem had found out all about it,
and in his pride had resigned his stool in Mr. Master's office. But
the Scrobby party in Rufford could not bring itself to believe that
Nickem was correct. That Goarly's hand had actually placed the
herrings no man either at Rufford or Dillsborough had doubted. Such
was now Nickem's story. But of what avail would be the evidence of
such a man as Goarly against such a man as Scrobby? It would be
utterly worthless unless corroborated, and the Scrobby party was
not yet aware how clever Nickem had been.
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