Rather, from the strange fact that the robber had left
no traces, and had happened to know the nick of time, utterly
incalculable by mortal agents, when Silas would go away from home
without locking his door, the more probable conclusion seemed to be,
that his disreputable intimacy in that quarter, if it ever existed,
had been broken up, and that, in consequence, this ill turn had been
done to Marner by somebody it was quite in vain to set the constable
after. Why this preternatural felon should be obliged to wait till the
door was left unlocked, was a question which did not present itself.
'It isn't Jem Rodney as has done this work, Master Marner,' said
the landlord. 'You musn't be a-casting your eye at poor Jem. There may
be a bit of a reckoning against Jem for the matter of a hare or so, if
anybody was bound to keep their eyes staring open, and niver to
wink- but Jem's been a-sitting here drinking his can, like the
decentest man i' the parish, since before you left your house,
Master Marner, by your own account.'
'Aye, aye,' said Mr Macey; 'let's have no accusing o' the innicent.
That isn't the law. There must be folks to swear again' a man before
he can be ta'en up. Let's have no accusing o' the innicent, Master
Marner.'
Memory was not so utterly torpid in Silas that it could not be
awakened by these words. With a movement of compunction, as new and
strange to him as everything else within the last hour, he started
from his chair, and went close up to Jem, looking at him as if he
wanted to assure himself of the expression in his face.
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