Angry with the public feeling that accused him of a crime of which he was not guilty, and guilty of a crime of which definitely the public knew little or nothing, there was no man in Sevenoaks so unhappy as he.

He loved power and popularity.

He had been happy in the thought that he controlled the town, and for the moment, at least, he knew the town had slipped disloyally out of his hands.
An impromptu meeting of citizens was held that evening, at which Mr.
Belcher did not assist.

The clergymen were all present, and there seemed to be a general understanding that they had been ruled long enough in the interest and by the will of a single man.

A subscription was raised for a large amount, and the sum offered to any one who would discover the fugitives.
The next morning Mr.Belcher found the village quiet and very reticent, and having learned that a subscription had been raised without calling upon him, he laughingly expressed his determination to win the reward for himself.
Then he turned his grays up the hill, had a long consultation with Mr.
Buffum, who informed him of the fate of old Tilden, and started at a rapid pace toward Number Nine..