Then, when I discovered
that Inglethorp had nothing to do with Mrs. Raikes and that in
fact it was John Cavendish who was interested in that quarter, I
was quite sure."
"But why?"
"Simply this. If it had been Inglethorp who was carrying on an
intrigue with Mrs. Raikes, his silence was perfectly
comprehensible. But, when I discovered that it was known all
over the village that it was John who was attracted by the
farmer's pretty wife, his silence bore quite a different
interpretation. It was nonsense to pretend that he was afraid of
the scandal, as no possible scandal could attach to him. This
attitude of his gave me furiously to think, and I was slowly
forced to the conclusion that Alfred Inglethorp wanted to be
arrested. Eh bien! from that moment, I was equally determined
that he should not be arrested."
"Wait a minute. I don't see why he wished to be arrested?"
"Because, mon ami, it is the law of your country that a man once
acquitted can never be tried again for the same offence. Aha!
but it was clever--his idea! Assuredly, he is a man of method.
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