Ferdinando is a justice of the peace, and when a peasant comes before him accused of murder, Caleb knows that the mention of murder will provoke a response. Caleb watches as Ferdinando hears the charges and sees his face turn from “red to pale, and from pale to red” before Ferdinando regains his composure (204). According to the defendant, the two men got into a fight, and he killed victim with a final blow: They were enemies, but the defendant had tried everything he could to overcome the rift. While the defendant was out with his sweetheart, the murdered man tried to argue with him. When that didn’t work, he began to take his anger out on the lady until the defendant accepted his challenge to fight (205-06).

Ferdinando has tears rolling down his cheeks after hearing the story but does his best to avoid Caleb’s eye. Ferdinando tries to control himself before rushing out of the room in despair (207). Seeing this, Caleb realizes that he is right; Ferdinando was the murderer (208). 

One of the chimneys in Ferdinando’s house catches fire, and everyone rushes to move the valuables outside and away from the fire. When Caleb goes to help the servants clear the house, he realizes that this is his chance to finally satisfy his curiosity about the chest he found Ferdinando with.