Justice and retribution.

           Whenthemysterieswereallclearedup,itcameout,byconfessionofHughHendon,thathiswifehadrepudiatedMilesbyhiscommand,thatdayatHendonHall—acommandassistedandsupportedbytheperfectlytrustworthypromisethatifshedidnotdenythathewasMilesHendon,andstandfirmlytoit,hewouldhaveherlife;whereuponshesaid,"Takeit!"—shedidnotvalueit—andshewouldnotrepudiateMiles;thenthehusbandsaidhewouldspareherlifebuthaveMilesassassinated!Thiswasadifferentmatter;soshegaveherwordandkeptit.

           Hughwasnotprosecutedforhisthreatsorforstealinghisbrother’sestatesandtitle,becausethewifeandbrotherwouldnottestifyagainsthim—andtheformerwouldnothavebeenallowedtodoit,evenifshehadwantedto.Hughdesertedhiswifeandwentovertothecontinent,wherehepresentlydied;andby-and-bytheEarlofKentmarriedhisrelict.ThereweregrandtimesandrejoicingsatHendonvillagewhenthecouplepaidtheirfirstvisittotheHall.

           TomCanty’sfatherwasneverheardofagain.

           TheKingsoughtoutthefarmerwhohadbeenbrandedandsoldasaslave,andreclaimedhimfromhisevillifewiththeRuffler’sgang,andputhiminthewayofacomfortablelivelihood.

           Healsotookthatoldlawyeroutofprisonandremittedhisfine.HeprovidedgoodhomesforthedaughtersofthetwoBaptistwomenwhomhesawburnedatthestake,androundlypunishedtheofficialwholaidtheundeservedstripesuponMilesHendon’sback.