It was said that the squire down at Tretton was too ill, but that proceedings would be taken as soon as he was able to bear them.

Rumors were afloat that he would be taken into custody, and it was even asserted that two policemen were in the house at Tretton.

But it was soon known that no policemen were there, and that the squire was free to go whither he would, or rather whither he could.
In fact, though the will to punish him, and even to arrest him, was there, no one had the power to do him an injury.
It was then declared that he had in no sense broken the law,--that no evil act of his could be proved,--that though he had wished his eldest son to inherit the property wrongfully, he had only wished it; and that he had now simply put his wishes into unison with the law, and had undone the evil which he had hitherto only contemplated.

Indeed, the world at large rather sympathized with the squire when Mr.Tyrrwhit's dealings became known, for it was supposed by many that Mr.Tyrrwhit was to have become the sole owner of Tretton.
But the creditors were still loud, and still envenomed.

They and their emissaries hung about Tretton and demanded to know where was the captain.