Noakes did not appear next morning.  Miss Templeton sent one of the maids to fetch him. She came back and reported that Mr. Noakes had been suddenly called away.  He never reappeared in Polstead.  The story of the tarring was told by Smail, who felt aggrieved, at the village inn that night, and Noakes saw next morning that his position in the village was ruined.  He gave instructions for the sale of his business, and Miss Templeton generously cancelled his debt to her in return for his release of Mr. Trenchard.