CHAPTER IX - IN WHICH THE LIBERAL EDITOR RE-APPEARS AS 'DEUS
EX MACHINA'
IT was perhaps a week later, as old Mr. Naseby sat brooding
in his study, that there was shown in upon him, on urgent
business, a little hectic gentleman shabbily attired.
'I have to ask pardon for this intrusion, Mr. Naseby,' he
said; 'but I come here to perform a duty. My card has been
sent in, but perhaps you may not know, what it does not tell
you, that I am the editor of the THYMEBURY STAR.'
Mr. Naseby looked up, indignant.
'I cannot fancy,' he said, 'that we have much in common to
discuss.'
'I have only a word to say - one piece of information to
communicate. Some months ago, we had - you will pardon my
referring to it, it is absolutely necessary - but we had an
unfortunate difference as to facts.'
'Have you come to apologise?' asked the Squire, sternly.
'No, sir; to mention a circumstance. On the morning in
question, your son, Mr. Richard Naseby - '
'I do not permit his name to be mentioned.'
'You will, however, permit me,' replied the Editor.
'You are cruel,' said the Squire. He was right, he was a
broken man.
Then the Editor described Dick's warning visit; and how he
had seen in the lad's eye that there was a thrashing in the
wind, and had escaped through pity only - so the Editor put
it - 'through pity only sir. And oh, sir,' he went on, 'if
you had seen him speaking up for you, I am sure you would
have been proud of your son.
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