The money must have been lost in going
through the post; it is impossible to suppose otherwi--"
Hamish was stopped by a commotion. Clattering along the outer hall, and
bursting in at the court door, his black hair disordered, his usually
pale cheeks scarlet, his nostrils working with excitement, came Roland
Yorke. He was in a state of fierce emotion. Learning, as he had done by
accident, that Arthur had been arrested upon the charge, he took up the
cause hotly, gave vent to a burst of passionate indignation (in which
he abused every one under the sun, except Arthur), and tore off to the
town-hall. Elbowing the crowd right and left, in his impetuosity,
pushing one policeman here and another there, who would have obstructed
his path, he came up to Arthur and ranged himself by his side, linking
his arm within his in an outburst of kindly generosity.
"Old fellow, who has done this?"
"Mr. Roland Yorke!" exclaimed the bench, indignantly. "What do you mean
by this behaviour? Stand away, if you please, sir."
"I'll stand away when Arthur Channing stands away," retorted Yorke,
apparently ignoring whose presence he was in. "Who accuses him? Mr.
Galloway does not. This is your doing, Butterby."
"Take care that their worships don't commit you for contempt of court,"
retorted Mr. Butterby. "You are going on for it, Roland Yorke."
"Let them commit me, if they will," foamed Roland. "I am not going to
see a friend falsely accused, and not stand up for him.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293