I have told him all that happened," Reuben said; "but of course, I will gladly tell you again." And Reuben repeated the story of the adventure, with every detail that he could think of; speaking slowly, as the schoolmaster wrote it down at length.
"I will see what I can make of it, when I think it over," Mr.
Shrewsbury said.

"Of course, as it stands, it is so natural and probable that it would clear you at once; had it not been for that unfortunate dog business before, and the supposition, excited by it, that you had a feeling of hostility to the squire.

I shall be able partly to dispose of that, for I can swear that you have frequently spoken to me of the squire in tones of respect and liking; and that, although you regretted the manner in which you left his service, you felt no ill will against him on account of it.

Moreover, I shall be able to prove that the reasons you gave for having your tools with you was a true one; and although I cannot swear that I expected you specially on that evening, the fact that you were in the habit of coming over, at times, to see me, cannot but corroborate your story.
"I shall get leave for two or three days, and will hunt up the village where you breakfasted." "Thank you very much," Reuben said, "though I have been thinking it over, and do not see that the evidence of the people at the public house would help me much.

It will simply prove that I passed through there in the morning; but will not show, in any way, whether I went willingly as far as that, as one of the party who broke into the house, or whether I was taken there." "They can probably prove that you looked pale and exhausted," the schoolmaster said.
"I fancy I should look pale, in any case," Reuben said, "if I had gone through such a night's work as that of breaking into the squire's." "Well, keep up your courage, Reuben.