will commit him on a minor charge only, as the passengers of the
coach will, I hope, give evidence that it was stopped by mounted
men alone. I think, therefore, that he would only be charged with
consorting with and aiding the highwaymen after the event, and of
aiding them to conceal stolen goods--that is, if any are found
in his room.

"That much stolen property has been hidden there, there is little
reason to doubt, but it may have been removed shortly afterwards.
It was, of course, very convenient for them to have some place
where they could take things at once, and then ride on quietly to
London the next day, for, if arrested; nothing would be found upon
them, and it would be impossible to connect them with the robbery.
Later on they might come back again and get them from him. Of
course, if nothing is found in his room, we get rid of the charge
of receiving altogether, and there would be nothing but harboring,
aiding, and abetting--a much less serious business. Look here,
old friend, I will strain a point. I will go out into the garden
again and walk about for an hour, and while I am out, if you should
take advantage of my absence to creep up to your son's room and to
search it thoroughly, examining every board of the floor to see if
it is loose, and should you find anything concealed, to take it and
hide it, of course I cannot help it. The things, if there are any,
might secretly be packed up by you in a box and sent up to Bow Street,
with a line inside, saying that they are proceeds of robbery, and
that you hope the owners will be traced and their property restored
to them. Not, of course, in your own hand, and without a signature.
There might be some little trouble in managing it, but it could,
no doubt, be done."