Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/429

"Well, but do you not think that if I were to call upon Sir Charles and offer him the money, and tell him that his attorney's bill, whatever it might be, would be paid when presented, it would afford me an excellent opportunity for explaining to him the whole of my views on the subject, and laying before him that body of evidence which, I should say, must of necessity convince him that Sylvester is innocent?"

"It is possible that it might afford you this opportunity: I very much doubt that it would; but if it did, in my opinion, the pursuit of such a course would be imprudent. The very fact of your offering him the money would incense him, and the chances are that the interview would be instantly at an end. He is not a common man: he is not a man to be taken by storm. 'Let us,' said he to me, this morning, 'let us, if possible, get at the truth—let us conduct this investigation calmly—let us proceed quietly and privately—it is not, of course, proper that the existence of any doubt on my mind should be known.' I tell you this in confidence, and I am sure that you will perceive that the adoption of the course which you proposed, although laudable—highly laudable—in itself, would be, under existing circumstances, imprudent."

"Well, then, what would you advise me to do?"

"I should advise you in the first place to re-fund the money; in the second, to return to Cotherstone with Sylvester and his aunt; and, in the third, to write out a statement of facts, which, as collateral evidence, I may place before Sir Charles."

"Very good: very good. This shall be done. But mind! you must promise that unknown to any living creature—you will send to me, and to me alone, in the event of this money being required."

"I pledge you my honour that I will do so."

"Very good. We can keep it to ourselves, you know; if it should be required, we can keep it to ourselves. If she were to know it, she would insist upon repaying me; and I would not have her income limited for the world. Mr. Scholefield," he added, pressing his hand warmly, "God will bless you for the interest you have taken in this matter. You are a good man: a good man: you'll have your reward. Now I'll go and urge them to start to-morrow morning. I'll in every particular follow your advice: I'll return to the City and refund this money, and send the statement up as soon as possible."

Mr. Scholefield then left him with many warm expressions of esteem, and he at once returned to Sylvester and his aunt, with the view of urging them to leave on the following morning.

"You have heard," said he, "what Mr. Scholefield has said, and Mr. Scholefield is a most sincere friend. We haven't a friend more sincere—we haven't a friend more valuable than Mr. Scholefield: you will know how valuable a friend he is anon. Now his advice is, that we return to the Grange immediately. What say you? When shall we start? I have to send up to him in the course of a few days a most important communication, and in order that I may do so, it will be necessary for me to start to-morrow. What do you think? Shall we all go together in the morning?"

"I have no objection," said Sylvester. "Have you, aunt?"