Mr. Butterby handed the seal to the bench, who examined
it curiously.
"I could have understood this case better had any stranger or strangers
approached the letter," observed one of the magistrates, who knew the
Channings personally, and greatly respected their high character. "You
are sure you are not mistaken in supposing no one came in?" he added,
looking kindly at Arthur.
"Certainly no one came in whilst I was alone in the office, sir," was
the unhesitating answer.
The magistrate spoke in an under-tone to those beside him. "That avowal
is in his favour. Had he taken the note, one might suppose he would be
anxious to make it appear that strangers did enter, and so throw
suspicion off himself."
"I have made very close inquiry, and cannot find that the office was
entered at all that afternoon," observed Mr. Butterby. Mr. Butterby
_had_ made close inquiry; and, to do him justice, he did not seek to
throw one shade more of guilt upon Arthur than he thought the case
deserved. "Mr. Hamish Channing also--"
Mr. Butterby stopped. There, standing within the door, was Hamish
himself. In passing along the street he had seen an unusual commotion
around the town-hall; and, upon inquiring its cause, was told that
Arthur Channing was under examination, on suspicion of having stolen
the bank-note, lost by Mr. Galloway.
To look at Hamish you would have believed him innocent and unconscious
as the day.
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