All this was the story told by Mrs.Crawley to Mr.
Walker, the lawyer, when he was pushing his inquiries.

She, poor woman, at any rate told all that she knew.

Her husband had told her one morning, when the butcher's threat was weighing heavily on his mind, speaking to her in such a humour that she found it impossible to cross-question him, that he had still money left, though it was money which he had hoped that he would not be driven to use; and he had given her the four five-pound notes, and had told her to go to Silverbridge and satisfy the man who was so eager for his money.

She had done so, and had felt no doubt that the money so forthcoming had been given by the dean.

That was the story as told by Mrs.Crawley.
But how could she explain her husband's statement as to the cheque, which had been shown to be altogether false?
All this passed between Mr.Walker and Mrs.Crawley, and the lawyer was very gentle with her.
In the first stages of the inquiry he had simply desired to learn the truth, and place the clergyman above suspicion.