Was some potent influence being brought privately to bear on Ambrose?
Appearances certainly suggested that inquiry.

Supposing the influence to have been really exerted, the next question followed, What was the object in view?
We could only wait and see.
Our patience was not severely tried.

The event of the next day enlightened us in a very unexpected manner.

Before noon, the neighbors brought startling news from the prison to the farm.
Ambrose Meadowcroft had confessed himself to be the murderer of John Jago! He had signed the confession in the presence of the sheriff and the governor on that very day.
I saw the document.

It is needless to reproduce it here.