we did, the whole thing would be delayed. By they shall be so watched that they shall not be able to throw the thing over. I've got them in a vice, Mr. Mason; and I'll hold them so tight that they must convict her whether they will or no.'
And the nature and extent of Mr. Dockwrath's reward had been already settled. When Lucius Mason should be expelled from Orley Farm with ignominy, he, Dockwrath, should become the tenant. The very rent was settled with the understanding that it should be remitted for the first year. It would be pleasant to him to have back his two fields in this way;—his two fields, and something else beyond! It may be remembered that Lucius Mason had once gone to his office insulting him. It would now be his turn to visit Lucius Mason at his domicile. He was disposed to think that such visit would be made by him with more effect than had attended that other.
'Well, sir, we're all right,' he said, as he shook hands with Mr. Mason of Groby; 'there's no screw loose that I can find.'
'And will that man be able to speak?' Mr. Mason was alluding to John Kenneby.
'I think he will, as corroborating the woman Bolster. That's all we shall want. We shall put up the woman first; that is, after I have done. I don't think they'll make much of her, Mr. Mason.'
'They can't make her say that she signed two deeds if she is willing to tell the truth. There's no danger, you think, that she's been tampered with,—that she has taken money.'
'No, no; there's been nothing of that.'
'They'd do anything, you know,' said Mr. Mason. 'Think of such a man as Solomon Aram! He's been used to it all his life, you know.'
'They could not do it, Mr. Mason; I've been too sharp on them. And I tell you what,—they know it now. There isn't one of them that doesn't know we shall get a verdict.' And then for a few minutes there was a silence between the two friends.
'I'll tell you what, Dockwrath,' said Mr. Mason, after a while; 'I've so set my heart upon this—upon getting justice at last—that I do think it would kill me if I were to be beaten. I do, indeed. I've known this, you know, all my life; and think what I've felt! For twenty-two years, Dockwrath! By ———! in all that I have read I don't think I ever heard of such a hardship! That she should have robbed me for two-and-twenty years!—And now they say that she will be imprisoned for twelve months!'
'She'll get more than that, Mr. Mason.'
'I know what would have been done to her thirty years ago, when the country was in earnest about such matters. What did they do to Fauntleroy?'
'Things are changed since then, aint they?' said Dockwrath,
