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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pagan's Cup, by Fergus Hume
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Pagan's Cup
+
+Author: Fergus Hume
+
+Release Date: January 4, 2011 [EBook #34835]
+Last updated: June 28, 2017
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PAGAN'S CUP ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by eagkw, Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                      [Illustration: Cover]
+
+
+
+                         The Pagan's Cup
+
+                                BY
+
+                           Fergus Hume
+
+
+                            AUTHOR OF
+
+                  "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB,"
+                      "THE RAINBOW FEATHER,"
+                  "CLAUDE DUVAL OF NINETY-FIVE,"
+                               ETC.
+
+
+                     [Illustration: Vignette]
+
+
+                             NEW YORK
+
+                     G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
+
+                            PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+
+                       Copyright, 1902, by
+
+                     G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
+
+                      [All rights reserved]
+
+
+
+
+_The Pagan's Cup_
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+   CHAP.                             PAGE
+      I.  A Modern Arcadia              1
+     II.  The Crusaders' Chapel        14
+    III.  The Lady of the Manor        28
+     IV.  The Dinner-Party             42
+      V.  Love's Young Dream           58
+     VI.  Trouble                      71
+    VII.  A Nine Days' Wonder          87
+   VIII.  Haverleigh's Defence        101
+     IX.  A Bad Reputation            113
+      X.  The Price of Silence        126
+     XI.  The London Detective        140
+    XII.  A Surprise                  154
+   XIII.  An Interesting Document     168
+    XIV.  An Unexpected Meeting       183
+     XV.  A New Complication          198
+    XVI.  Sybil's Visitor             214
+   XVII.  Lord Kilspindie Explains    227
+  XVIII.  A Miracle                   242
+    XIX.  A Story of the Past         257
+     XX.  Mrs Gabriel's Secret        276
+
+
+
+
+THE PAGAN'S CUP
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A MODERN ARCADIA
+
+
+Certain portions of England yet remain undiscovered by Americans and
+uncivilised by railways. Colester village above King's-meadows, in a
+county which need not be named, is one of these unknown spots. No doubt
+before long the bicycle and the motor-car will enliven its somnolent
+neighbourhood, but at present it is free from the summer jaunts of
+tourists. With this neglect the Colester folk profess themselves
+satisfied. They have no wish to come into contact with the busy world.
+This prejudice against intrusion dates from mediaeval times, when
+strangers rarely came to the village with peaceful intentions. Even now
+a chance comer is looked upon with suspicion.
+
+Mr Richard Pratt said something of this sort to the vicar during a
+morning ramble, some six weeks after he had taken up his residence in
+The Nun's House. With the parson and the gentry of the parish Mr Pratt
+agreed very well, his respectability having been vouched for by Mrs
+Gabriel, the lady of the manor. But the villagers still held aloof,
+although the newcomer did his best to overcome their churlish doubts.
+They did not credit his story that he had settled in Colester to pass
+his remaining years in peace, and even the money he scattered so freely
+could not buy their loyalty. Pratt had never met with such people
+before. In most countries an open purse invites an open heart; but the
+Colester villagers were above Mammon worship. Such an experience was
+refreshing to Pratt, and introduced him to a new type of humanity.
+
+"The first place I ever struck in which the dollar is not all-powerful,"
+he said, with his Yankee twang and pleasant laugh.
+
+"We are not sufficiently educated in that respect," replied Mr Tempest
+in his simple way. "For my part, I am not ill pleased that my
+parishioners should refuse to worship the Golden Calf."
+
+"There is no calf about me, I guess," said Pratt, grimly, "and very
+little gold. I don't say I haven't a decent income, but as to being a
+millionaire--no, sir."
+
+"In the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed is king, Mr Pratt. You are a
+millionaire in this poor place. But I fear you find it dull."
+
+"Why, no, vicar. I'm glad to be out of the buzz. The world's made up of
+nerves and machinery nowadays. At fifty-two years of age I can't stand
+the racket. This Sleepy Hollow's good enough for me to stay in until I
+peg out. Guess I'll buy an allotment in that graveyard of yours."
+
+"Hollow!" said the vicar, smiling, "and our earthly dwelling-place is
+set upon a hill! Mr Pratt, I suspect you have Irish blood in your
+veins."
+
+Pratt laughed, and being to a large extent devoid of humour, explained
+earnestly that he had used the word figuratively. "Washington Irving,
+Rip Van Winkle," he explained, nodding, whereat the vicar smiled again.
+
+The situation of Colester was striking and strange. A green-clothed
+promontory extended abruptly from the high table-land into
+King's-meadow. To right and left chalky cliffs of considerable height
+flared away for miles, forming a buttress to the moors above and walls
+to the plains below. In pre-historic ages the ocean waves had beaten
+against these cliffs, but, gradually receding, had left dry the miles
+upon miles of fertile lands now called King's-meadows. An appanage of
+the Crown, they had been called so from the days of William the
+Conqueror.
+
+From where they stood, the vicar and his friend had a bird's-eye view of
+this desirable land, unrolled like a map under the bright June sky.
+League after league of corn-fields stretched away to the clear, shining
+line of ocean; and amidst the ripening grain appeared red-roofed
+villages, clumps of trees, the straight lines of dusty white roads and
+the winding, glittering serpent of the river. And as a background to
+this smiling plenty--if so Irish an expression be permitted--was the
+blue expanse of the Channel dotted with the white sails of merchantmen.
+
+A small wood of ancient oaks shut off the purple-clad moor from the spur
+upon which Colester was built. On the verge of this, yet encircled by
+trees, stood the village church--a crusading chapel, dedicated to St
+Gabriel the Messenger. Thence the ground fell away gradually, and spread
+out into a broad neck of land, down the centre of which ran a road
+leading from chapel to village. On either side of this, amidst oaks and
+elms and sycamores, were the houses of the gentry. From where they ended
+the promontory rose into two rounded hills, with a slight depression
+between. On the one to the left the village was built, its houses
+cramped within a tumble-down wall, dating from the days when it was
+needed as a defence. The other hill was surmounted by a well-preserved
+castle, the keep of which with its flag could be seen above the oak
+woods. This was inhabited by Mrs Gabriel, the sole representative of the
+feudal lords of Colester. Yet she was only the childless widow of the
+last baron, and had none of the fierce Gabriel blood in her veins. The
+once powerful and prolific family was extinct.
+
+From castle and village steps led down into the depression between the
+two hills. Down this continued the chapel road, sloping gradually with
+many windings to the plains below. The whole place had the look of some
+Rhenish robber-hold. And if tradition was to be trusted, the Gabriel
+lords had dwelt like eagles in their eyrie, swooping down at intervals
+to harry and plunder, burn and slay the peaceful folk of the plains. A
+turbulent and aggressive race the Gabriels. It had defied king and
+priest, and parliament and people. Time alone had ever conquered it.
+
+"A survival of the Middle Ages," said Mr Tempest, pointing out these
+things to his companion. "It was needful that the Gabriel barons should
+build strong defences. They were fierce and blood-thirsty, defiant of
+law and order. For many centuries they were a scourge to the inhabitants
+of the plains. These often complained to the king, and several times the
+place was besieged, but without result. The Gabriels kept their hold of
+it. The only thing they ever lost was their title. A bill of attainder
+was passed against them in the time of the second George. After that
+they became less lions than foxes."
+
+"Just so," said Mr Pratt. "This place couldn't do much against
+artillery, I guess. And even in the bow and arrow days, a strong force
+coming over the moor and down the spur--"
+
+"That was often tried," interrupted Tempest, quickly, "but the attempt
+always failed. In the days of Henry II. Aylmer Gabriel beat back an
+overwhelming force, and then erected the chapel as a thanksgiving. The
+Archangel Gabriel was the patron saint of the family, and the chapel is
+dedicated to him."
+
+"He couldn't keep the family from dying out, however," said Pratt, as
+they moved towards the village.
+
+"No. With the late John Gabriel the family became extinct. But I daresay
+Mrs Gabriel will arrange that her adopted son succeeds. He can take the
+name and the coat of arms. I should be very pleased to see that," added
+the vicar, half to himself. "Leo is a good fellow, and would make an
+excellent landlord."
+
+The eyes of the American flashed when the name was mentioned, but he
+made only a careless comment. "Leo Haverleigh," he said, after a pause,
+"he's a right smart young chap, sure. Who is he?"
+
+"The son of Mrs Gabriel's brother. She was a Miss Haverleigh, you know.
+I believe her brother was somewhat dissipated, and died abroad. The boy
+arrived here when he was three years of age, and Mrs Gabriel adopted
+him. He will be her heir."
+
+"Is there anyone to object?" asked Pratt, eagerly.
+
+The vicar shook his head. "The Gabriels are absolutely extinct. Failing
+Leo, the estates would lapse to the Crown. In the old days they would
+have been seized by the king in any case, as the sovereigns were always
+anxious to hold this point of vantage which dominated their lands below.
+But we live in such law-abiding times, that Mrs Gabriel, although not of
+the blood of the family, can leave the estates to whomsoever she will. I
+understand that she has quite decided Leo shall inherit and take the
+name; also the coat of arms."
+
+"She doesn't strike me as over-fond of the boy," said Pratt, as they
+climbed the crooked street; "rather a hard woman I should say."
+
+"Mrs Gabriel has a particularly high moral standard," replied the vicar,
+evasively, "and she wishes all to attain to it. Leo--" he hesitated.
+
+"He's no worse than a boy ought to be," said the American, cheerily.
+"Your young saint makes an old sinner. That's so, vicar!"
+
+Mr Tempest laughed outright. "I fear there is small chance of Leo
+becoming a saint either young or old," he said, "though he is a good
+lad in many ways. Wild, I admit, but his heart is in the right place."
+
+Pratt smiled to himself. He knew that Leo was in love with Sybil, the
+daughter of this prosy old archaeologist. Simple as Mr Tempest was, he
+could not be blind to the possibility of his daughter making such an
+excellent match. "Oh, yes," laughed Pratt, knowingly, "I'm sure his
+heart is in the right place."
+
+But by this time the vicar was on his hobby horse, and did not gauge the
+significance of the speech. "Here," he said, waving his hand towards the
+four sides of the square in which they stood, "the Romans built a camp.
+It crowned this hill, and was garrisoned by the tenth legion to overawe
+the turbulent tribes swarming on the plains below. In fact, this town is
+built within the camp, as the name shows."
+
+"How does it show that?" asked Pratt, more to keep the vicar talking
+than because he cared.
+
+"The name, man, the name. It is properly Colncester, but by usage has
+been shortened to Colester. Coln comes from the Latin _colonia_, a
+colony, and caster, or cester, is derived from _castra_, a camp.
+Colncester therefore means the camp colony, which proves that the
+original builders of this town erected their dwellings within the
+circumvallation of the original _castra_ of Claudian. If you will come
+with me, Mr Pratt, I will show you the remains of this great work."
+
+"I have seen it several times before," replied Pratt, rather bored by
+this archaeological disquisition. "I know every inch of this place. It
+doesn't take an American centuries to get round, and six weeks of
+walking have fixed me up in your local geography. But there's the
+chapel, vicar. We might walk up there. I'd like to hear a few remarks on
+the subject of the chapel. Interesting. Oh, I guess so!"
+
+"Certainly! certainly!" said Tempest, absently, "let us walk, walk," and
+he strolled away with his hands in his tail-coat pockets, looking
+something like an elderly jackdaw. Indeed the churchman, with his lean,
+oval face, his large spectacles and the fluttering black garments on his
+thin figure, very much resembled a bird. He was scholarly, well-bred and
+gentle, but wholly unworldly. Since his wife had died seven years
+before, Sybil had taken charge of the house. Harold Raston, the
+energetic curate, looked after the parish. But for these two, both
+clerical and domestic affairs would have been neglected, so immersed was
+Mr Tempest in his dry-as-dust explorations. Many people said openly that
+the vicar was past his work and should be pensioned off. Mrs Gabriel, a
+capable and managing woman, had once hinted as much to him. But the
+usually placid parson had flown into such a rage, that she had hastily
+withdrawn herself and her suggestion. "There is nothing more terrible
+than the rebellion of a sheep." Mrs Gabriel recalled this remark of
+Balzac's when Tempest, proving himself worthy of his name, swept her in
+wrath from his study.
+
+Pratt was quite another specimen of humanity. A neat, dapper, suave
+little man, undersized yet perfectly proportioned. He had black hair,
+black eyes, and a clean-shaven face, which constantly wore an
+expression of imperturbable good-humour. His dress was too neat for the
+country. A blue serge suit, white spats on brown boots, a Panama hat,
+gloves and--what he was never without--a smoothly-rolled umbrella.
+Spick-and-span, he might have stepped out of a glass case, and this was
+his invariable appearance. No one ever saw Pratt unshaven or untidy. He
+had been everywhere, had seen everything, and was a most engaging
+companion, never out of temper and never bored. But for all his smiling
+ways the villagers held aloof from him. Wishing to break down their
+barrier of prejudice, the sharp little American had attached himself to
+the vicar during the good man's usual morning walk. He thought that such
+a sight might dispose the villagers to relent.
+
+"I shall not vary my usual walk," remarked Mr Tempest, positively. "We
+will stroll through the village, return to the chapel, and then, Mr
+Pratt, I hope you will lunch with me."
+
+"Delighted, if it will not put Miss Sybil out."
+
+"No, no. My wife is always prepared for chance visitors," answered the
+vicar, quite oblivious to the fact that the late Mrs Tempest was resting
+in the churchyard. "Ha, this is Mrs Jeal. How do you do, Mrs Jeal?"
+
+Mrs Jeal was in excellent health, and said so with a curtsey. A dumpy,
+rosy-faced woman was Mrs Jeal, with a pair of extremely wicked black
+eyes which snapped fire when she was angered. She had a temper, but
+rarely displayed it, for it suited her better to gain her ends by craft
+rather than force. Fifteen years ago she had appeared from nowhere, to
+settle as a midwife in Colester. Contrary to their usual fashion, the
+villagers had taken her to their bosoms. This was owing to the clever
+way Mrs Jeal had of managing them, and to her knowledge of herbs. She
+had cured many sick people whom the doctor had given up, and
+consequently was not looked upon with favour by Dr James, who had
+succeeded to the family practice. But even he could not be angry at
+rosy, laughing Mrs Jeal. "Though I don't like her," confessed Dr James;
+"the devil looks out of her eyes. Dangerous woman, very dangerous."
+
+Pratt had no chance of proving this remark of the doctor's to be true,
+for Mrs Jeal never looked at him. She kept her wicked eyes on the kindly
+vicar and smiled constantly, punctuating such smiles with an occasional
+curtsey. "Pearl is not with you?" said Mr Tempest.
+
+"No, bless her poor heart!" cried Mrs Jeal, "she is up at the chapel.
+Her favourite place is the chapel, as your reverence knows."
+
+"She might have a worse place to haunt, Mrs Jeal. Poor soul--poor, mad,
+innocent child!"
+
+"Do you call eighteen years of age childish, Mr Tempest?" asked the
+woman.
+
+"No, no! I speak of her mind, her poor, weak mind. She is still a child.
+I beg of you to look after her, Mrs Jeal. We must make her path as
+pleasant as we may."
+
+"Then I beg your reverence will tell that Barker to leave her alone."
+
+"Barker, Barker? Ah, yes, the sexton--of course. Worthy man."
+
+Mrs Jeal sniffed. "He won't let her stay in the chapel," she said.
+
+"Tut! tut! This must be seen to. Poor Pearl is God's child, Mrs Jeal, so
+she has a right to rest in His House. Yes, yes, I'll see to it.
+Good-day, Mrs Jeal."
+
+The woman dropped a curtsey, and for the first time shot a glance at
+Pratt, who was smiling blandly. A nervous expression crossed her face as
+she caught his eye. The next moment she drew herself up and passed on,
+crossing herself. Pratt looked after her, still smiling, then hurried to
+rejoin the vicar, who began to explain in his usual wandering way.
+
+"A good woman, Mrs Jeal, a good woman," he said. "For some years she has
+had charge of Pearl Darry, whom she rescued from her cruel father."
+
+"Is that the insane girl?" said Pratt, idly.
+
+"Do not talk of one so afflicted in that way, Mr Pratt. Pearl may not be
+quite right in her head, but she is sane enough to conduct herself
+properly. If the fact that she is not all herself reached
+Portfront"--the principal town of the county--"it is possible that the
+authorities might wish to shut her up, and that would be the death of
+Pearl. No, no!" said the good vicar, "let her have a fair share of God's
+beautiful earth, and live to a happy old age. In this quiet place we can
+afford one natural."
+
+"Like the village idiot we read about in Scotch tales," said Pratt.
+
+"Just so, Mr Pratt. In _Waverley_ there is such a one. Pearl Darry is
+quite harmless, and really has a very beautiful nature. Mrs Jeal is much
+to be commended for her charity."
+
+"She looks a charitable woman," said the American, but whether he meant
+this ironically or not it is hard to say.
+
+The women of Colester were mostly lace-workers, and toiled at this
+fairylike craft while their husbands worked in the fields below. During
+three seasons the mountain men, as they might be called, ploughed the
+meadow-land, sowed the corn and helped to reap and harvest it. In the
+winter they returned to live on their earnings and take a holiday. But
+the women worked all the year through, and Colester lace was famous. As
+the vicar and Pratt walked down the street, at the door of every house
+sat a woman with her pillow and pins dexterously making the filmy fabric
+which was destined to adorn the dress of many a London beauty. They were
+mostly serious-looking, and some even grim. But all had a smile for the
+vicar, although they pursed up their lips when they saw the good-natured
+face of Pratt. Most unaccountable this dislike they had for the
+American. He was rather annoyed by his pronounced unpopularity.
+
+"I must really do something to make them like me," he said, much vexed.
+
+"Tut, tut!" replied the vicar, "liking will come in good time, Mr Pratt.
+It takes some years for them to fancy a stranger. I was an object of
+distrust to them for quite three. Now they are devoted to me."
+
+"And have you been here long?"
+
+"About forty years," said Tempest. "I have buried many and christened
+most. We have no Methodists in Colester, Mr Pratt. Everyone comes to
+church and worships according to the rites of the Anglican communion, as
+is fit and proper."
+
+"I suppose you are a prosperous community on the whole?"
+
+"So, so! Nothing to complain of. The lace made here by those clever
+fingers sells well in London and even abroad. Then the men earn a fair
+wage in King's-meadows. Mrs Gabriel looks after the few poor we have
+amongst us. On the whole, we have much to be thankful for, Mr Pratt."
+
+Thus talking the good vicar led his companion round by the mouldering
+walls, where they could look down on to the plains. After a glance they
+re-entered the town and walked through the cobbled-stoned streets,
+between the quaint, high-roofed houses. Everywhere the vicar was greeted
+and Pratt frowned upon. He was quite glad when they descended from the
+village through the old gate, and after walking along the neck, which
+was the fashionable part of Colester, began to climb up towards the
+chapel.
+
+"A most delightful spot," said Pratt, politely; "but I guess the folk
+don't cotton to me. I must make them freeze on somehow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE CRUSADERS' CHAPEL
+
+
+The church dedicated to St Gabriel the Messenger was enshrined in a
+leafy glade. No churlish wall marked the limits of the sacred ground,
+and from the ancient building a soft green sward stretched on all sides
+to the circle of oaks which sheltered it from the rude winds. In this
+circle were two openings counter to each other. The lower one admitted
+those who came from Colester into the precincts; the upper gave entrance
+to a larger glade, in which the dead had been buried for centuries. This
+also was without a wall, and it was strange beyond words to come
+suddenly upon an assemblage of tombstones in the heart of a wood. From
+this sylvan God's-acre a path climbed upward to the moor, and passed
+onward for some little distance until it was obliterated by the purple
+heather. Then for leagues stretched the trackless, treeless waste to the
+foot of distant hills.
+
+Of no great size, the chapel was an architectural gem. Built in the form
+of a cross, a square tower rose where the four arms met, and this
+contained a famous peal of bells. The grey stone walls were carved with
+strange and holy devices, lettered with sacred texts in mediaeval Latin,
+and here and there were draped in darkly-green ivy. The sharp angles of
+the building had been rounded by the weather, the stones were mellowed
+by time, and, nestling under the great boughs of the oaks, it had a
+holy, restful look. "Like a prayer made visible," said Mr Tempest.
+
+With his companion he had paused at the entrance to the glade, so as to
+enjoy the beauty of the scene. Round the chapel swept the swallows,
+pigeons whirled aloft in the cloudless blue sky; from the leafy trees
+came the cooing of doves, and the cawing of rooks could be heard. All
+the wild life of the wood haunted the chapel, and the place was musical
+with forest minstrelsy. As the beauty of scene and sound crept into
+their hearts, the vicar quoted Spenser's lovely lines:--
+
+    "A little lowly hermitage it was,
+    Downe in a dale, hard by a forest side."
+
+"Just so," said Pratt, in the hard, unromantic way of the twentieth
+century; "it's the kind of church you see in pictures."
+
+"The church in which Sir Percival met Sir Galahad," replied Tempest.
+
+The American felt the influence of the place despite the material faith
+which he held. There was a vein of romance in his nature which had been
+buried beneath the common-place and selfish. But in this holy solitude,
+at the door of the shrine, his spiritual self came uppermost, and when
+he stood bare-headed in the nave his talkative tongue was silent. The
+influence of the unseen surrounded him, and, like Moses, he was
+inclined to put off his shoes, "for this is holy ground," murmured his
+heart.
+
+Glancing at his companion, Tempest was surprised to see his usually pale
+and calm face working with emotion and covered with blushes.
+
+"You are unwell, Mr Pratt?" he asked in a low tone befitting the place.
+
+The man stammered, "No--that is, I feel that--well, no matter." He
+controlled himself by a powerful effort and laughed. Tempest was not
+shocked. He was shrewd enough to see that the merriment was artificial
+and designed to cloak a deeper feeling. But the laughter was reproved in
+a most unexpected fashion.
+
+"The joy of the profane is as the passing smoke," said a high, sweet
+voice.
+
+Pratt started in surprise, and looked around. He saw the jewelled
+windows shining through the dim twilight of the church, the white cloth
+on the altar, and the glimmer of a silver crucifix, in the faint light
+of tall candles. But who had spoken he could not guess, as no one was in
+sight. Mr Tempest, however, had recognised the voice.
+
+"Is that you, Pearl?" he called out softly.
+
+From behind the altar emerged a girl of eighteen, though in looks and
+stature she was a child. She was small and delicately formed, and on her
+thin white face there was a vacant look as of one whose wits were
+astray. No intelligence shone through her dark eyes, but a mystical
+light burned in their depths. Like Kilmeny, she had been to fairyland,
+and had seen things which had lifted her above the common lot of
+mortals. Therefore upon her face there shone the light that never was on
+sea or land. And, curiously enough, she was dressed in a green gown--the
+fairy's colour. Round her straw hat was twisted a wreath of oak leaves.
+When she appeared her arms were full of flowers.
+
+"You are decorating the altar, Pearl," said the vicar, kindly.
+
+"I am making ready the House for the Master's coming," replied the girl
+in her silvery voice, "but He will abide here but a little time." She
+pointed to the groined roof of black oak. "That shuts out His Home,"
+said Pearl, reverently, "and He loves not to dwell in darkness."
+
+"Darkness and light are the same to Him, Pearl. But go on with your
+work, my child. You have beautiful flowers I see."
+
+"I gathered them in the woods before dawn, when the dew was yet on them.
+And see, I have got these mosses to put into the pots. The flowers will
+be quite fresh to-morrow for morning service. Then they will die," added
+the girl, heaving a sigh, "die, as we all must."
+
+"To rise again in the light of Heaven, child."
+
+Pearl shook her black locks and turning back to the altar began
+dexterously to arrange the flowers. When passing and re-passing she
+never forgot to bend the knee. Pratt observed this. "Is she a Roman
+Catholic?" Mr Tempest smiled. "She does only what I have taught her," he
+said. "I am what is called High Church, Mr Pratt, and believe in a
+beautiful ritual. To the service of God we should bring all lovely
+things, and perform all solemn acts of humility and reverence. That,"
+said Tempest, pointing to the white-covered altar, "is a symbol of the
+Unseen Power, and so those who approach it should acknowledge its solemn
+meaning."
+
+Pratt shrugged his shoulders. The vicar was talking of things too high
+for his comprehension. He looked at the mad girl decorating the altar.
+"I suppose the villagers think a great deal of this church," he said.
+
+"It is the most precious possession we have," replied Tempest,
+reverently, "and it is all that remains to us of the beautiful and
+sacred things created by the faith of our forefathers. There were many
+vessels for the altar, Mr Pratt; but these were melted down by the
+Gabriel who fought for the first Charles in order to help his king. I
+would we had a communion service as beautiful as this shrine," and Mr
+Tempest sighed.
+
+The remark gave Pratt an idea. He wanted to obtain the goodwill of the
+villagers seeing he had come amongst them to pass his days in peace. If
+they loved their church so much they would approve of anyone who helped
+to decorate it. "I am not rich," he said slowly, "and I can't give you a
+whole service such as you want. But I should like to present this chapel
+with a communion cup. I have in my travels collected many beautiful
+things, Mr Tempest. Amongst others a golden cup of Roman workmanship
+which I obtained in Italy. It is a splendid example of the jeweller's
+art, and would look well on that table."
+
+"On the altar," corrected Tempest, wincing at the sound of the word
+which he connected with the Low Church party. "It is more than good of
+you, Mr Pratt. We must talk the matter over. I do not accept gifts
+lightly, especially for the service of the Church. But come, let us look
+at the tombs. Then we can go to luncheon."
+
+Pratt said no more, but fully made up his mind that the cup of which he
+spoke should figure on the altar. He had a vague kind of idea that he
+could buy repentance if he gave so splendid a present. If the vicar
+proved difficult to deal with, he resolved to ask for Mrs Gabriel's
+help. As the lady of the manor, she could insist upon the acceptance of
+the offering. There was no reason why Tempest should refuse it, but
+Pratt knew that the old man was--as he phrased it--queer, and one never
+knew what objection he might make. If he thought that the cup was given
+only to secure the goodwill of the parish he would certainly refuse it.
+A gift made in such a spirit could not be accepted by the Church.
+
+Meanwhile he examined the tombs of the crusading Gabriels, which he had
+seen often before. But the vicar made the present visit more acceptable
+by recounting the legends connected with each recumbent figure. The
+tombs were three in number, and occupied what was called the Ladye's
+Chapel. Their sides were richly blazoned with the Gabriel crest and with
+decorations of scallop shells to denote that those who rested below had
+been to the Holy Land. The figures of the brave knights were
+cross-legged, and their hands rested on the pommels of their huge
+swords. Considering the lapse of time, they were in a wonderful state of
+preservation. Pratt looked upon them with a sigh, and the vicar inquired
+the reason of his sadness.
+
+"I was thinking of the glory of having such ancestors," said Pratt, and
+Mr Tempest noticed that his Yankee twang and mode of expressing himself
+had quite disappeared. "I would give anything to come of such a line--to
+have a dwelling that had been in the possession of my race for
+centuries, and to have traditions which I could live up to. I am a
+lonely man, Mr Tempest," he added, with some pathos, "no one cares for
+me. I never had a home, or a family, or a position in the world. All my
+life I have had to fight for my own hand, and for years I have been a
+rolling stone. Money, yes! I have made money, but I would give it all,"
+and he pointed to the crusaders, "if I could call those my ancestors."
+
+Mr Tempest looked surprised. "I did not expect to hear such views from
+the mouth of a Republican," he said, "for, as you are an American, I
+presume you hold by the political faith of Washington."
+
+"I don't hold by anything in particular," replied Pratt, recovering
+himself, as they left the chapel. "I am unfettered by sectarian
+prejudices. You can call me a cosmopolitan, Mr Tempest. But we can talk
+of these things on some other occasion. You must come to see me. I have
+furnished The Nun's House, and have got out my collection of rare and
+curious things. Will you and Miss Tempest dine with me next week?"
+
+"I rarely go out," replied the vicar; "however, I will see what Sybil
+says. If she is willing, I will come with pleasure."
+
+"Oh, Miss Tempest will be willing," said Pratt, significantly. "Leo
+Haverleigh is coming to dine also!"
+
+"They are very good friends," said the vicar, simply. No thought of what
+Pratt meant entered his mind.
+
+At the Vicarage they were met by Sybil and the curate, who had been
+talking to her about parish affairs for the greater part of the morning.
+At once Raston drew aside his ecclesiastical superior, and the two went
+into the library, leaving Sybil to entertain the American. She was not
+averse to doing this, as she liked Mr Pratt and his merry conversation.
+Having recovered from the emotion caused by the atmosphere of the
+chapel, the man was more pronouncedly Yankee than ever. He described his
+walk with the vicar, and repeated his invitation to dinner. "Mrs Gabriel
+and Mr Haverleigh are coming," he said, "and I shall also ask Sir Frank
+Hale and his sister."
+
+Sybil smiled on hearing that Leo was to be present, but her brow clouded
+over when she heard about the baronet and Miss Hale. She did not like
+that young woman, and Pratt knew the cause. It was not unconnected with
+Leo. He was the prize for which these young ladies strove. Miss Hale was
+very much in love with the young man, and so was Sibyl, but he cared
+more for the vicar's daughter than for Miss Hale. The two girls guessed
+each other's feelings, and disliked one another accordingly. This might
+not have been proper, but it was eminently human. However, Sibyl was too
+much a woman of the world to show Pratt what she felt, and she accepted
+his invitation calmly enough. "I shall be delighted to come," she said,
+"but I can't answer for my father."
+
+"Oh, I have something to lure him," said Pratt, easily, "and I think you
+will be pleased also, Miss Tempest." And thereupon he told the girl of
+his proposed gift. "The cup is over a thousand years old," he explained.
+"It belongs to the time of the Caesars."
+
+"From all I have heard of them," said Sybil, bluntly, "I don't think a
+vessel of their manufacture ought to serve for a Christian ceremony."
+
+"On the contrary, the cup will be sanctified by being put to such a good
+use," said Pratt, "and you can set your mind at rest, Miss Tempest. I
+got the cup from the church of a little Italian town, where it served
+for a chalice. It has been used in the service of the Romish Church for
+ages."
+
+"In that case I am sure my father will be delighted to accept it. He is
+anxious to get some vessels for the chapel altar. It is very good of you
+to give the cup, Mr Pratt."
+
+"Not at all. It is better put to such use than in my collection.
+However, you will see all my curios when you come. Mr Haverleigh has
+already seen them."
+
+"He told me about them yesterday. I only hope Mr Haverleigh will be here
+next week. He said something about going away."
+
+"Why is he going away?" Pratt fixed his keen eyes on the girl.
+
+"I think he is in trouble. That is," added Sybil, hastily, "I gathered
+as much. But don't say I told you anything, Mr Pratt. Ah," she broke off
+suddenly, "here are my father and Mr Raston."
+
+Pratt cast another sharp glance at her. He guessed that something was
+wrong with Leo, and that the young man had told her of his trouble. He
+wondered if the two were engaged when they were thus confidential. Pratt
+took an interest in Leo, as he had known him for some years, and rather
+sympathised with his outbursts of youthful folly. He thought that
+marriage would steady the lad's somewhat volatile nature, but he could
+not make up his mind as to whether Miss Hale or Miss Tempest was the
+best wife for him. However, it was useless for Pratt to worry over this,
+as he recognised very clearly. In the first place, it was none of his
+business; and in the second, Leo would certainly choose for himself.
+
+"I am giving a house-warming, Mr Raston," said Pratt during luncheon,
+"and I should like you to come to dinner. Next Thursday. I suppose in
+this Arcadian spot it is not necessary to give written invitations."
+
+"I accept with pleasure," replied Raston, quite ignorant that Pratt
+wished to enlist him on his side in getting the vicar to accept the cup;
+"but as to written invitations--what do you say, Miss Tempest?"
+
+"Oh, those are _most_ necessary," laughed Sybil. "We are very particular
+in this part of the world."
+
+"I am an American, you see, Miss Tempest, and I don't know your English
+way of doing things. But the invitations shall be written in due form. I
+guess it is as well to humour the prejudice of folks."
+
+"If you wish to be popular," said the vicar, "you must do so here."
+
+"As I intend to die in this part of the world, I must get on with the
+crowd somehow. I am not accustomed to be shunned, and that is what your
+people here are doing."
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Sybil, much distressed, "they are only waiting to know
+you better, Mr Pratt. In a year you will be quite friendly with them."
+
+"I'm friendly with them now," said Pratt, dryly, "it is they who hold
+off."
+
+"We are slow to make friendships here," said Raston, "but when we do
+accept a friend we stick to him always."
+
+"You are a native of these parts, Mr Raston?"
+
+"I was born and bred here."
+
+"It is I who am the stranger," put in Mr Tempest, "and it was a long
+time before my parishioners took to me."
+
+"You are adored now, papa," said Sybil, with a bright glance.
+
+"And someone else is adored also," put in Pratt. Sybil flushed at the
+compliment. She thought it was in bad taste.
+
+After a time the conversation turned on Pearl Darry, and Raston, who was
+deeply interested in her, gave them some insight into the girl's mind.
+"She does not care for churches built by hands," he said. "If she had
+her way she would take the altar into the middle of the moor and worship
+there. I think she feels stifled under a roof."
+
+"Ha!" said Pratt, with a swift glance, remembering Mrs Jeal, "is she of
+gipsy blood? She looks like it."
+
+"No. Her dark complexion comes from Highland blood," explained Sybil.
+"Her father, Peter Darry, was a stone mason. He is dead now--died
+through drink. While working in Perth he married a farmer's daughter.
+They came back here and Pearl was born. Then her mother died and her
+father treated her badly. Mrs Jeal rescued her, and Peter fell over a
+cliff while drunk."
+
+"Mrs Jeal is a good woman," said Tempest, mechanically.
+
+"Do you endorse that statement, Miss Tempest?"
+
+Sybil looked at Pratt who had spoken. "I think Mrs Jeal was very good to
+take charge of Pearl," she said evasively, whereat Pratt smiled to
+himself. He saw that Sybil did not like the woman, and privately admired
+her insight.
+
+Mr Pratt was destined to deliver all his invitations verbally. On his
+way home after the vicar's luncheon he met with a rider on a roan horse.
+This was a fair, handsome young man with a clear skin, a pair of bright
+blue eyes and a sunny look on his face. He had a remarkably good figure,
+and rode admirably. Horse and man made a picture as they came up the
+road. Pratt waved his hands and the rider pulled up.
+
+"How are you this morning, Haverleigh?"
+
+Leo laughed. He did not wear his heart on his sleeve, and if he was
+worried, as Sybil averred, he did not show his vexation. "I am all
+right," he replied, with a smile. "Who could help being all right in
+this jolly weather? And how are you, Mr Pratt?"
+
+"I am busy," responded the American, gravely. "I have been lunching with
+the vicar, and now I am going home to write out invitations for a dinner
+at my new house."
+
+"Will you ask me, Mr Pratt?"
+
+"I have asked Miss Tempest and I want you to come."
+
+Leo laughed. Also he flushed a trifle. "It is very good of you," he
+said. "And who else will be at your house-warming?"
+
+"Mrs Gabriel, Mr Raston, Miss Hale and her brother."
+
+"Oh!" Leo looked annoyed at the mention of Miss Hale. "I am not sure if
+I shall be able to come," he said, after a pause.
+
+"No?" Pratt's tone was quite easy. "Miss Tempest said something about
+your going away. But I hope you will put that off. My dear
+fellow"--Pratt smiled meaningly--"you can depend upon me. It is not the
+first time I have helped you!"
+
+Haverleigh made no direct response, but sat on his saddle in deep
+thought. "I'll come," he said at length, and rode off abruptly.
+
+"I thought you would," murmured Pratt, with a bland smile. He knew more
+about Leo Haverleigh than most people in Colester.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE LADY OF THE MANOR
+
+
+Haverleigh's face did not continue to wear its sunny expression after he
+left the American. He frowned and bit his moustache, and in the
+annoyance of the moment spurred his horse full speed up the castle road.
+Only when he was within the avenue and nearing the porch did he slacken
+speed, for his mother--so he called her--might be looking out of some
+window. If so, she would assuredly accuse him of ill-using his horse.
+Mrs Gabriel rarely minced matters in her dealings with Leo. He was never
+perfectly sure whether she loved or hated him.
+
+Mindful of this, he rode gently round to the stables, and, after
+throwing his reins to a groom, walked into the castle by a side door. As
+he had been absent all the morning, he was not very sure of his
+reception, and, moreover, he had eaten no luncheon. The butler informed
+him that Mrs Gabriel had asked that he should be sent to her the moment
+he returned. At once Leo sought her on the south terrace, where she was
+walking in the hot June sunshine. He augured ill from her anxiety to see
+him. A memory of his debts and other follies--pardonable
+enough--burdened his conscience.
+
+"Here I am, mother," he said as he walked on to the terrace, looking a
+son of whom any woman would have been proud. Perhaps if he had really
+been her son, instead of her nephew, Mrs Gabriel might have been more
+lenient towards him. As it was she treated him almost as harshly as
+Roger Ascham did Lady Jane Grey of unhappy memory.
+
+"It is about time you were here," she said in her strong, stern voice.
+"As you are so much in London, I think you might give me a few hours of
+your time when you condescend to stay at the castle."
+
+Leo threw himself wearily into a stone seat and played with his whip.
+This was his usual greeting, and he knew that Mrs Gabriel would go on
+finding fault and blaming him until she felt inclined to stop. His only
+defence was to keep silent. He therefore stared gloomily on the pavement
+and listened stolidly to her stormy speech. "No reverence for
+women--after all I have done for you--clownish behaviour," etc.
+
+Some wit had once compared Mrs Gabriel to Agnes de Montfort, that
+unpleasant heroine of the Middle Ages. The comparison was a happy one,
+for Mrs Gabriel was just such another tall, black-haired, iron-faced
+Amazon. She could well have played the _role_ of heroine in holding the
+castle against foes, and without doubt would have been delighted to
+sustain a siege. The present days were too tame for her. She yearned for
+the time when ladies were left in charge of the _donjon_ keep, while
+their husbands went out to war. More than once she fancied that if she
+had lived in those stirring times, she would have armed herself like
+Britomart, and have gone a disguised knight-errant for the pleasure and
+danger of the thing. As it was, she found a certain relief in the power
+she exercised in Colester. Her will was law in the town, and her rule
+quite feudal in its demand for absolute obedience.
+
+Report said that the late John Gabriel had not been altogether sorry
+when he departed this life. Undoubtedly he was more at rest in the quiet
+graveyard near the chapel than he had ever been before. Mrs Gabriel
+mourned him just as much as she thought proper. She had never professed
+to love him, and had married him (as she calmly admitted) in order to
+become mistress of the grand old castle. Besides, Gabriel had always
+hampered her desire to rule, as he had sufficient of the old blood in
+him to dislike being a cypher in his ancestral home. Consequently,
+husband and wife quarrelled bitterly. Finally, he died, gladly enough,
+and the Amazon had it all her own way. It was about two years after his
+death that Leo came to live with her, and everyone was amazed that she
+should behave so kindly towards the child of her dead brother, whom, as
+it was well known, she hated thoroughly.
+
+However, Leo came, and from the moment he entered the house she bullied
+him. Spirited as the boy was, he could not hold his own against her
+stern will and powers of wrathful speech. When he went to school and
+college he felt as though he had escaped from gaol, and always returned
+unwillingly to Colester. Mrs Gabriel called this ingratitude, and on
+every occasion brought it to his mind. She did so now; but even this
+could not induce Leo to speak. He declined to furnish fuel to her wrath
+by argument or contradiction. This also was a fault, and Mrs Gabriel
+mentioned it furiously.
+
+"Can't you say something?" she cried, with a stamp. "Is it any use your
+sitting there like a fool? What explanation have you for me?"
+
+"To what?" asked Leo, wearily; the question had been asked so often.
+"You have accused me of so many things."
+
+"Then why do you do wrong? I am talking of those debts you have incurred
+in London. You gave the list to me before you went out riding."
+
+"I know, mother. I thought it best to avoid a scene. But it seems there
+is no escape. When you have quite done perhaps you will let me speak?"
+
+"You shall speak when I choose," rejoined Mrs Gabriel, fiercely. "All I
+ask you now is, how comes it that your debts run up to three hundred
+pounds? I allow you that income. You should make it do."
+
+"Perhaps I have been a little foolish," began Leo, but she cut him
+short.
+
+"A little foolish, indeed! You have behaved like a fool, as you always
+do. What right have you to be extravagant? Are you in a position to be
+so? Have I not fed and clothed and educated you?"
+
+"You have done everything that a charitable woman could have done."
+
+"You mean that a _mother_ could have done. Had you been my own child--"
+
+"You might have been kinder to me," finished the young man.
+
+Mrs Gabriel stared aghast at this speech, and at last broke out
+furiously, "Had you been my own child you would have been a stronger
+man; not a weak fool squandering money, and defying your benefactress.
+You ought to be ashamed of yourself."
+
+"I am," replied Leo, bitterly, "ashamed that I have endured this
+humiliating position for so long. I was only a child when you brought me
+here, and had no voice in the matter. Yet, out of gratitude, I have
+borne with your injustice, and--"
+
+"Injustice!" broke in Mrs Gabriel. "What do you mean?"
+
+"My meaning is not hard to gather, mother. You have never been just to
+me, and the bread with which you have fed me has been bitter enough to
+swallow. Do you think that I can go on listening to your angry words
+without a protest? I cannot. My position is not of my own making, and
+since you find me a burden and an ungrateful creature, the best thing
+will be to put an end to the position."
+
+"Indeed!" sneered the woman. "And how do you propose to do that? You are
+quite unable to earn your own living."
+
+"Oh, there is one way of doing that," replied Leo, grimly. "It does not
+need much education to be a soldier."
+
+"A soldier!" screamed Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"Yes. I made inquiries while I was in London, as I knew very well what
+welcome you would give me. It is my intention to volunteer for the war."
+
+"You'll do nothing of the sort."
+
+"I beg your pardon. I have made up my mind."
+
+"Then I shall have nothing more to do with you."
+
+"That is as you please, Mrs Gabriel. You are my aunt, and I suppose you
+have the right to support me out of charity. At any rate, you have no
+right to keep me here and taunt me all the time with my inability to
+keep myself. Again I say that the position is none of my making.
+However, I intend to relieve you of the burden of a useless man. Next
+week I shall enlist. Then you will be well rid of me."
+
+Mrs Gabriel gasped. "I forbid you!" she cried, with a stamp.
+
+"I am afraid I must decline to accept the command," said Haverleigh,
+with great coolness. "You have told me often enough that I am a beggar
+and a loafer. You shall do so no longer. As to my debts, I shall see to
+them myself. You need not pay them, nor need you continue my allowance.
+I earn my own bread from this moment."
+
+"How dare you, Leo? Do you not owe me something?"
+
+"No! You have cancelled all obligation by the way in which you have
+treated me. Everything you have done has been done grudgingly. If you
+did not intend to behave as a woman should, why, in Heaven's name, did
+you not leave me to be dependent on strangers? They could scarcely have
+been more harsh to me than you have been. But this is the end of it. I
+relieve you from this hour of the burden you complain of."
+
+"Take care. I intended you to be my heir, and--"
+
+"I decline to accept further favours at your hands," said Leo, proudly;
+"for what you have done I thank you, but I do not care to accept an
+inheritance as a favour. Now you know my intentions and I shall not
+change them."
+
+Mrs Gabriel raged for twenty minutes without making the least impression
+on the young man. He was determined to put an end to the position, and
+she found that she could not longer dominate him by her wrath. Then Mrs
+Gabriel became aware that she had driven him like a rat into a corner,
+and that, like a rat, he had turned to fight. For reasons best known to
+herself she did not wish him to leave her. Forthwith she abandoned her
+tyrannical attitude, and took refuge in the weakness of her sex.
+Considering her boasting, this was ironical.
+
+"It is cruel of you, Leo, to behave thus to a woman who loves you!"
+
+Leo, leaning over the parapet, shrugged his shoulders and replied
+without looking round. "That is just the point," he said. "You really do
+not love me--no, not one little bit."
+
+"I do. See how I have looked after you all these years."
+
+"And made me feel that I was a pauper all the time," he retorted. "But
+is it necessary to go over all the old ground? I have made up my mind."
+
+"You shall not enlist."
+
+"I tell you I shall."
+
+The two faced one another, both pale and both defiant. It was a contest
+of will, and the weaker would be sure to yield in the long run. Mrs
+Gabriel quite expected that her adopted son would give in, as he had
+often done before, but this time she found to her surprise that he
+declined to move from his attitude of defiance. Seeing that she was
+beaten, she suddenly calmed and proceeded to win the necessary victory
+in another and more crafty way.
+
+"Sit down, Leo," she said quietly. "It is time we had an explanation.
+You are behaving very badly, and I must request you at least to listen
+to me."
+
+Haverleigh had been doing nothing else for nearly an hour, so this
+speech was a trifle inconsistent. However, he could not be brutal, so
+with another shrug he resumed his seat. All the same he was resolved in
+his own mind that no argument she could use should make him alter the
+course he had determined upon. Leo could be obstinate on occasions.
+
+"I do everything I can for your good," said Mrs Gabriel in a complaining
+tone, "yet you thwart me at every turn." Then she proceeded to recount
+how she had sent him to Eton, to Oxford, how she had permitted him to go
+to London and allowed him money, and how he had behaved foolishly. It
+was at this point the young man interrupted her.
+
+"I admit that I have been foolish, but that comes from want of
+experience. You can't expect me to have an old head on young shoulders."
+
+"Don't interrupt me, please," said Mrs Gabriel, sharply. "Now that you
+have sown your wild oats, I want you to come here and take your position
+as my heir. I am no longer so young as I was, and I need someone to help
+me in administering the estate. Besides, I want you to marry."
+
+Leo rose from his seat. "You wish me to marry," said he; then, after a
+pause, he proceeded sarcastically, "And I suppose you have chosen me a
+wife?"
+
+"Just so," said Mrs Gabriel, coolly. "I want you to marry Miss Hale."
+
+"Not if there was not another woman in the world!"
+
+"That's all nonsense, Leo. She has a good dowry and she is an agreeable
+girl. You _shall_ marry her."
+
+"I don't love her," protested Leo.
+
+"No matter; she loves you. Her brother told me so, and I am woman enough
+to see that she is deeply attached to you."
+
+"I won't marry her!" said Leo, doggedly. "I have a right to choose a
+wife for myself, and Miss Hale is not my choice."
+
+"Ah! Then what I have heard is true?"
+
+"What have you heard?" he demanded, with a dangerous look in his blue
+eyes. Mrs Gabriel was going too far.
+
+"That you are in love with Sibyl Tempest."
+
+"That is true. She is a beautiful and charming girl."
+
+"And a beggar!" burst out Mrs Gabriel, savagely. "Her father has nothing
+beyond his stipend, and that he spends on books. When he dies she will
+be a beggar. If you married her she would bring you no dowry."
+
+"She will bring me herself," replied Haverleigh, "and that is good
+enough for me. I love Sybil with my whole soul."
+
+"And how do you propose to keep her?" sneered Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"Not as the heir to your property," said Leo, wrathfully. "In some way
+or another I shall make my way in the world. Sybil is quite willing to
+wait for me. We are engaged."
+
+"Ha! You seem to have settled the whole matter."
+
+"We have. And it will not be unsettled by anyone."
+
+The young man looked so determined, there was such fire in his eye, such
+a firmness about his closed mouth, that Mrs Gabriel felt that she was
+beaten. For the moment she retreated gracefully, but by no means gave up
+her point. By nagging at Leo she might be enabled to bring about things
+as she wished. "Well, have it your own way," she said, rising. "I have
+said my say, and you are behaving abominably."
+
+"I am sorry you should think so, but I really cannot submit to this life
+any longer. You quite understand that next week I go to London?"
+
+"As you please." Mrs Gabriel was outwardly calm, but inwardly furious.
+"I hope you have well considered what you are doing?"
+
+"I have. My mind has been made up for some time."
+
+"In that case, Leo, we may as well part good friends. I shall pay your
+debts and fit you out. Now do not contradict me. If you have any feeling
+of gratitude you will at least let me do this much."
+
+Haverleigh did not like the proposition, as he felt that Mrs Gabriel was
+preparing some snare into which he might blindly fall. However, as he
+could not see his way to a refusal, and, moreover, was weary of this
+bickering, he merely bowed. Mrs Gabriel had thus gained time, and in
+some measure had secured the victory. It remained to her to make the
+best use of it. She was determined that Leo should marry Edith Hale.
+
+"Have you had luncheon, Leo?" she asked, changing the subject.
+
+"No. But I am not hungry now."
+
+"Nonsense. A big man like you. Come in and have something to eat at
+once."
+
+As a refusal would only have meant another outburst, Leo accepted the
+inevitable, and moved towards the door with his mother. "By the way," he
+said, "I met Mr Pratt down below. He intends to ask us to a
+house-warming."
+
+It might have been Leo's fancy, but he thought that Mrs Gabriel started
+at the mention of the name. However, there was an emotion in her hard
+voice as she replied, "I shall be rather glad to see the interior of his
+house, Leo. It is said that he has the most beautiful things. Will he
+ask us to dinner?"
+
+"Yes. Hale and his sister are coming."
+
+"Ah!" said Mrs Gabriel in gratified tones.
+
+"And the vicar and his daughter. Also Raston, the curate."
+
+"The church party," said Mrs Gabriel, disdainfully. She had no love for
+Tempest, whom she regarded as half insane, nor for Sibyl, who was too
+beautiful for womanly taste, nor for Raston, who had frequently fought
+her on questions connected with parish affairs.
+
+"By the way," said Leo, who had been meditating, "why has Mr Pratt
+settled in these parts? I should think he found it dull."
+
+Mrs Gabriel smiled contemptuously. "Mr Pratt is not a foolish young man
+like someone I know," she said; "he does not find pleasure in the
+follies of the Town. For my part, I think he is wise to settle here in
+his old age. He is a delightful neighbour and a pleasant companion."
+
+"He is all that," assented Leo, heartily. He liked Pratt. "You have
+known him for many years, mother?"
+
+"For ten or twelve," replied Mrs Gabriel, carelessly. "I met him in
+Vienna, I think, and he called on me when I returned to London.
+Afterwards he came down here and fell in love with the place. For years
+he has been a rolling stone, but always said that when he settled down
+he would come to Colester. He is liked, is he not, Leo?"
+
+"He is more than liked. He is immensely popular--with our friends, if
+not with the villagers. You have done a good deed in introducing him to
+our dull parish."
+
+"I don't think Mr Pratt, who has so many resources in himself, finds it
+dull, my dear. However, I shall be glad to accept the invitation to his
+dinner. I should like to see him married."
+
+"Indeed! Have you chosen him a wife also?"
+
+Mrs Gabriel laughed. "I thought he might take a fancy to Sibyl Tempest."
+
+"Why, he's old enough to be her father. Besides--"
+
+"Besides you love her," finished Mrs Gabriel, with a shrug. "Well, do
+not get angry, Leo. I should like to see Mr Pratt marry Sybil and you
+the husband of Edith Hale. Then everything would be right."
+
+"I don't think so at all," commenced Haverleigh in vexed tones. "But
+don't let us quarrel any more. I have the greatest regard for Pratt, but
+I do not care to go the length of letting him marry the girl I love."
+
+"You know very little of Mr Pratt," said Mrs Gabriel, looking suddenly
+at the young man, "how, then, can you regard him so--"
+
+"Oh, I have seen him often in Town," broke in Leo; "sometimes when I was
+in difficulties and did not want to tell you Pratt helped me."
+
+"With money?" asked Mrs Gabriel, sharply.
+
+"Of course with money. But I paid him back."
+
+Mrs Gabriel made no answer, but, rising suddenly, passed out of the
+room, and left Leo eating his luncheon alone. Her usually calm face
+looked disturbed and her hands were restless. Leo's information had
+annoyed her.
+
+"What does Pratt mean?" she asked herself. "Can't he leave the boy alone
+after all these years? I wonder--" She broke off and pressed her hand to
+her heart as though she there felt a cruel pain. Perhaps she did, but
+Mrs Gabriel was not the woman to show it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE DINNER-PARTY
+
+
+Built on the lower slopes of the Castle Hill, Mr Pratt's residence,
+commonly known as The Nun's House, stood a little distance back from the
+highway which led down to King's-meadows. It was a plain, rough stone
+building of great strength, two storeys in height, and with a high roof
+of slate. Gloomy in the extreme, it was rendered still more so from its
+being encircled by a grove of yew trees which gave it a churchyard air.
+Not the kind of residence one would have thought attractive to a
+cheerful and dapper man like Richard Pratt. But he had, so he declared,
+fallen in love with it at first sight, and Mrs Gabriel, always having an
+eye to business, had only too readily granted him a seven years' lease.
+She was delighted at the chance of securing a tenant, as the house had
+been empty for a long time owing to its uncomfortable reputation. There
+was not a man, woman or child in Colester that did not know it was
+haunted.
+
+The name came from a tradition, probably a true one, that when the
+Colester convent had been suppressed by Henry VIII., the evicted nuns
+had found refuge in this dismal house, a dozen of them. In time they
+died, and the mansion was inhabited by other people. But queer sounds
+were heard, strange sights were seen, and it became known that the
+twelve nuns re-visited the scene of their exile. There never was a house
+so populated with ghosts; and the tenants promptly departed. Others,
+lured by a low rent, came, and after a month's trial departed also.
+Finally no one would stop in the ill-omened mansion until Mr Pratt
+arrived. He liked the place, laughed at the gruesome reputation of the
+dwelling, and announced his intention of making it his home.
+
+"Ghosts!" laughed Pratt, with his cheery smile. "Nonsense. Ghosts went
+out with gas. Besides, I should rather like to see a ghost, particularly
+of a nun. I am partial to the fair sex."
+
+"I wonder, then, you never married," said the person who had warned him
+against the house, with the best intentions, of course.
+
+Pratt looked at her--she was Mrs Bathurst, the gossip of the
+neighbourhood--under half-closed eye-lids, and smiled. "Ah!" said he,
+rubbing his plump white hands, "I have admired so many beautiful women,
+dear lady, that I could not remain constant to one;" which reason,
+although plausible, did not satisfy Mrs Bathurst. But then she was one
+of those amiable persons always willing to believe the worst of people.
+
+However, Pratt took up his abode in the chief Colester inn, and sent for
+cartloads of furniture, while the house was being re-decorated. He took
+a deal of trouble to make it comfortable, and as he was a man of
+excellent taste, with an eye for colour, he succeeded in making it
+pretty as well. In six weeks the place was ready to receive him, and up
+to the period of his walk with the vicar, Pratt had occupied it for
+another six without being disturbed by the numerous ghosts. The Colester
+folks quite expected to hear that he had been carried off like Dr Faust,
+and were rather disappointed that he met with no ghostly adventure. But
+then Mr Pratt, as he said himself, was not imaginative enough for
+spectres.
+
+Failing his leaving the house, the gentry expected that he would
+entertain them and show his treasures, for it was reported that he had
+many beautiful things. But Pratt was in no hurry. He wanted first to
+study his neighbours in order to see who were the most pleasant. In a
+surprisingly short time he got to know something about everyone, and on
+the knowledge thus acquired he selected his guests. In addition to those
+already mentioned, he invited Mrs Bathurst and her daughter Peggy. The
+girl was pretty and the mother talkative, so, in Pratt's opinion, it
+paid to ask them. "There is no chance of an entertainment being dull if
+Mrs Bathurst has her legs under the table," he said, and this being
+reported to the lady, she accused Pratt of coarseness. Nevertheless, she
+accepted the invitation. Not for worlds would Mrs Bathurst have missed a
+sight of re-decorated Nun's House. Besides, it was her duty to go. She
+supplied all the gossip of the neighbourhood.
+
+Anxious to see as much as possible of the house, Mrs Bathurst was the
+first to arrive. Pratt, in a particularly neat evening dress, advanced
+to meet her and Peggy with a smile. He knew very well that her
+ungovernable curiosity had led her to be thus early. "I am glad to see
+you, Mrs Bathurst," he said genially; "pray sit down. You are the first
+to arrive."
+
+"I always like to be punctual," responded the lady, nodding to her
+daughter that she also should be seated. "Dear me, how well this room
+looks! I can see you have spared no expense."
+
+"I like to make myself comfortable, Mrs Bathurst. We only have one
+life."
+
+"I wonder you care to spend it in such a dull place as Colester. If Mr
+Bathurst were rich I should make him take me to London."
+
+"You would soon get tired of the roar of that city."
+
+Here Peggy, who was fair and pretty and fond of gaiety, shook her blonde
+head vigorously. "I should never get tired of fun," she said. "I could
+go to a dance every night and still want more."
+
+"Ah, Miss Peggy, you are young and active!"
+
+"Well, dear Mr Pratt, you are not old," said Mrs Bathurst, flatteringly;
+"we must make you happy here. I am sure you are quite an acquisition. We
+must find you a wife."
+
+"I shall apply to you when I want one," he said, with a laugh; "but I
+guess I'm not made to run in double harness."
+
+"What odd expressions you use! I daresay that comes from your being an
+American. Never mind, you'll soon lose all Americanisms here. I look
+upon you as quite one of ourselves, dear Mr Pratt."
+
+The fact is that Mrs Bathurst wished to bring about a marriage between
+her daughter Peggy and the newcomer. He had been introduced by Mrs
+Gabriel, so his social position was secure; and if one could judge from
+the magnificent furnishing of the house, he was a wealthy man. That
+Peggy herself should be consulted never entered her mother's head.
+
+Pratt guessed what Mrs Bathurst was after, and chuckled. He had no
+intention of having the good lady for a mother-in-law. Moreover, he knew
+that Peggy was in love with Raston, the curate. Nevertheless, having a
+love of tormenting people, and wishing to punish Mrs Bathurst, he
+sighed, cast a languishing look at Peggy, and allowed the mother to
+think that he might be guided by her wish. Seeing this, the lady pushed
+her advantage vigorously, and was getting on very well by the time the
+other guests arrived. Then, after some desultory conversation, dealing
+with the weather and the crops, all went in to dinner.
+
+The table was beautifully set out. The linen was snowy white, the silver
+and crystal of the best, and the flowers, which Pratt had personally
+arranged, were skilfully chosen and blended. The women present were
+rather annoyed that a man should be able to manage a house so well, for
+the dinner was one of the best that had ever been eaten in Colester, and
+the service was all that could be desired. What was the use, thought Mrs
+Bathurst, of suggesting a wife to a man who knew so well how to dispense
+with one? She could not have arranged things better herself, and it was
+vexing that a mere man should be able to beat a woman on her own
+ground.
+
+"You have certainly made a very pretty place of it, Mr Pratt," said Mrs
+Gabriel, when they returned to the drawing-room. "I suppose you will
+live here for many a long day?"
+
+"I hope to die here," he replied, smiling. "But one never knows. I may
+take a fancy to resume my travels."
+
+"You are like Ulysses," put in the vicar, "you know men and cities."
+
+"And, like Ulysses, I don't think much of either, Mr Tempest."
+
+"Come now!" cried Leo, laughing. "I never heard that Ulysses was a
+cynic."
+
+"He was not modern enough," said Sybil, who was looking particularly
+charming, much to the anger of Mrs Gabriel, who saw in her a man-trap
+for her adopted son.
+
+"I don't think cynicism is altogether a modern disease," remarked Sir
+Frank Hale. "Solomon had not much belief in human nature."
+
+"What could you expect from a man who had so many wives?" put in Pratt,
+in a dry voice. The remark annoyed Mrs Bathurst. It augured ill for her
+scheme to marry Peggy. A man who talked thus of women could never be
+brought to respect his mother-in-law.
+
+While this conversation was taking place Mrs Gabriel kept a vigilant eye
+on Leo. Whenever he tried to edge up to Sybil she contrived to get in
+the way, and, finally, by a dexterous move, she placed him 'longside the
+baronet's sister. Edith Hale was a tall, raw-boned, thin girl, with
+small pretensions to beauty or wit. She had a freckled skin and red
+hair, an awkward way of carrying herself and a silent tongue. She was so
+deeply in love with Leo that she followed his every movement with her
+eyes, until he found her regard most embarrassing. However, Leo, to
+avert a storm when he returned home, was obliged to show her every
+attention, and strolled away with her into Mr Pratt's new conservatory.
+Sybil looked disappointed, but controlled herself sufficiently to play
+an accompaniment for Peggy. Raston turned over the leaves of the music,
+and Mrs Bathurst, with a glance at Pratt, settled herself to listen. As
+to Mr Tempest, he was moving round the room examining the objects of art
+in his usual near-sighted way. Seeing everyone thus occupied, Mrs
+Gabriel drew aside Sir Frank into a convenient corner.
+
+The baronet was a pale-faced, hunchback, lame creature, with a shrewish
+expression and a pair of brilliant grey eyes. He had been an invalid all
+his life, and his temper had been spoilt thereby. The only person in the
+world for whom he cherished the least affection was his sister. In his
+eyes she was as beautiful as Helen and as clever as Madame de Stael. He
+knew that she was breaking her heart for Leo, and resented the young
+man's indifference. And as Hale had the spite of a cripple, his
+resentment was not to be despised. But Leo did not know that.
+
+"Frank," said Mrs Gabriel, addressing him thus familiarly, as she had
+known him from his cradle, "I want to speak to you about Leo. It is
+time he was married. Nothing but marriage will steady him."
+
+"Sybil Tempest is ready enough to become his wife, Mrs Gabriel," snarled
+the little man. "Why don't you speak to her?"
+
+"Because she is not your sister," replied Mrs Gabriel, coldly. "I do not
+intend that Leo shall throw himself away on a penniless girl who has
+nothing but her face to recommend her. Edith has both brains and
+beauty."
+
+"Leo does not see that," said Hale, who implicitly believed in his
+companion; "he is infatuated with Sybil. I don't say a word against
+her," he added hastily; "I want to marry her myself."
+
+Mrs Gabriel looked with secret contempt on the deformed man, and
+wondered how he could have the impertinence to think that any woman
+could take him for her husband. However, she was pleased to hear of this
+new complication. If Sybil could be induced to marry the baronet--and
+from a worldly point of view the match was a good one--she would be out
+of the way. In despair Leo might marry Edith, and thus all would be as
+Mrs Gabriel wanted. She wished to move human beings as puppets to suit
+her own ends, and never thought that she might be thwarted by the
+individual will of those with whom she played. However, she had an idea
+of how to entangle matters so as to carry out her schemes, and commenced
+her intrigue with the baronet. She knew he would help her, both for his
+own sake and for the sake of his sister. At the same time she moved
+warily, so as not to make a false step. It was no easy matter to deal
+with Hale, as she knew. Once or twice he had got the better of her in
+business.
+
+"I don't mind being candid with you," said Mrs Gabriel softly. "It is my
+wish that Leo should marry Edith, and I shall be delighted to help you
+to become Sybil's husband."
+
+"It's easy saying, but harder doing," said Hale, snappishly. "Sybil is
+in love with Leo, and the woman who admires Apollo will not look upon
+Caliban. Oh, I am under no delusions respecting myself," he added, with
+a hoarse laugh. "I am not agreeable to look upon, but I have money, a
+title and a good position. Nine women out of ten would be content with
+these things."
+
+"I am afraid Sybil is the tenth," said Mrs Gabriel, coldly. "However,
+neither she nor Leo know what is good for them. Help me to marry him to
+your sister, and then Sybil will fall into your arms."
+
+"Do you think so?"
+
+"I am certain of it."
+
+"How are we to manage?" asked Hale, after a pause. "You have some
+scheme."
+
+"It is in order to explain my scheme to you that I have brought about
+this conversation. Listen. I am not pleased with Leo. He has been
+leading a wild life in Town, and is in debt to the tune of three hundred
+pounds."
+
+"Humph!" said Frank, under his breath. "These Apollos know how to waste
+money. I shall see that Edith's dowry is settled on herself."
+
+"And I shall tie up the Gabriel property so that Leo cannot waste it."
+
+Hale looked at her from under his bushy eyebrows. "You intend that he
+shall be your heir, then?"
+
+"Assuredly. If he does what I want him to do."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"He must marry Edith and take up his residence in the castle. No more
+gadding about, no more wild living. Let Leo be a respectable country
+gentleman and his future is secure."
+
+"Have you explained that to him?" asked the baronet, sharply.
+
+"No. Leo is a fool, and infatuated with that girl. I must force him to
+do what I want. It is for his own good. You must help, both for the sake
+of Edith, and because it is your only chance of marrying Sybil."
+
+"I'm quite ready to help you, Mrs Gabriel. Go on."
+
+Mrs Gabriel glanced round, bent her head, and spoke lower. "I intend to
+refuse to pay this three hundred pounds for Leo. There is no chance of
+his earning it for himself, and he will soon be in serious difficulty.
+Now if you come forward as his old friend and--"
+
+"I don't like lending money," said Hale, who was something of a miser.
+
+"If you want to gain Sybil and make your sister happy, you must lend Leo
+three hundred pounds. When he is in your debt, well--the rest is easy."
+
+Hale nodded. "I see what you mean," said he, ponderingly. "The idea is
+not a bad one. But Leo--humph! Three hundred pounds! A large sum!"
+
+"Oh, I will be your surety for it," said Mrs Gabriel, impatiently. She
+did not want her plans upset by this miser. "But if you want to gain
+anything you must sacrifice something. You love Sybil?"
+
+"With my whole soul," said the cripple, and flushed.
+
+"And your sister?"
+
+"I would give anything to secure her happiness."
+
+"Three hundred pounds will be enough," said Mrs Gabriel, coolly. "Make
+Leo your debtor, and then you can deal with him. He is so honourable
+that he will keep his word even at the cost of his happiness. Well?"
+
+Hale reflected. "I will think of it," said he, cautiously.
+
+"As you please. But remember that if I do not have this settled within
+the week, I shall allow Leo to marry Sybil."
+
+Of course Mrs Gabriel had no such intention, but she determined
+outwardly on this course to frighten the baronet. It had the desired
+effect.
+
+"I will see to the matter," he said hastily; "to-night I will ask Leo to
+come and see me. It will all be arranged. But three hundred pounds!" He
+winced and Mrs Gabriel smiled.
+
+"I will be your surety," she said, rising. "Let me know when you have
+made Leo your debtor. Come, we must not talk any more. Here is Mr
+Pratt."
+
+It was indeed the host who came to disturb them. He wished to take the
+whole party round his house. Leo and Edith returned from the
+conservatory, the former looking bored, the latter brilliantly happy.
+Sybil did not like this, and glanced reproachfully at Leo, who
+immediately would have gone to her side, but he was anticipated by Hale.
+"Help me to get round the house, Miss Tempest," he said, pointing to his
+lame leg. "You must be my crutch."
+
+Sybil could not but assent, and so Leo found himself out in the cold.
+Peggy, who approved of his love for Sybil, took his arm. "Never mind,"
+she said softly, "I will manage to take Sir Frank away," and Leo gave
+her hand a grateful squeeze.
+
+"Come, all of you!" cried Pratt, cheerily. "The museum is open."
+
+He led them through a series of rooms crammed with treasures. There were
+valuable pictures, pieces of rich tapestry, exquisite examples of
+goldsmith's work, and many other things of value. Mr Pratt had a story
+for every object. This he picked up in the Great Bazaar at Stamboul;
+that was a bargain obtained in an Italian town; the silver crucifix came
+from Spain; the lacquer work from Japan. Apparently he had been all over
+the world, and had made purchases in every part. Here was the evidence
+of his travels and his wealth before the longing eyes of Mrs Bathurst.
+More than ever was she determined that Peggy should become Mrs Pratt.
+
+While Pratt discoursed and the company exclaimed at the treasures
+displayed to their wondering eyes, Mrs Gabriel maintained her haughty
+silence. She surveyed all the beautiful things in a cold, unemotional
+manner, and kept an eye on the movements of Leo. He felt uncomfortable
+under her gaze, and once or twice looked angrily at her. But Mrs Gabriel
+met his indignant looks with a calm smile.
+
+"You must have spent a fortune on all this," said Hale, inspecting a
+tray of antique coins. "What a collection!"
+
+"I have been buying for years," explained Pratt, smiling. "Mine has been
+a varied life. I was born of poor parents and had to make my own way in
+the world. For years I worked in the States, in South America and
+elsewhere to make money. Finally I secured a fortune in South Africa,
+and for the last ten years I have devoted myself to collecting these
+things. They have been stored for years, and now that I have a house of
+my own, this is the first time I have been able to arrange them. I am
+glad you are pleased."
+
+"We are more than pleased," gushed Mrs Bathurst. "It is a most beautiful
+treat to see these lovely things and hear you talk about them. What is
+this cup, dear Mr Pratt?"
+
+"Ah!" said Pratt, taking it up. "This is the property of the vicar."
+
+"Mine!" said Mr Tempest in mild surprise. "Dear me, Mr Pratt, what do
+you mean? It would take half my year's stipend to buy this!"
+
+"It is the cup of which I spoke to you, vicar." Pratt handed it to
+Tempest and then turned to the group. "I wish to present this cup to the
+chapel, Mr Raston," he said, "and I hope that you and Mr Tempest will
+accept it on behalf of the town. It is an old Roman goblet, and has
+been used for centuries as a communion chalice in an Italian city. I
+bought it many years ago. Is it not beautiful?"
+
+The cup was indeed an exquisite object of art. Of considerable size, it
+was of pure gold. The rim and the stem were set round with gems of great
+value, and the outside was embossed with faces peering from out a tangle
+of flowers. It had two handles formed of twisted snakes with ruby eyes
+and round its broadest part ran an inscription in Latin. The vicar held
+the goblet to the light and translated the inscription. "'To the great
+God, who maketh the heart joyful,'" he said, then added dubiously, "Does
+that refer to a pagan god, or to the Maker of all things?"
+
+"If the cup is Roman, probably it is an inscription to Bacchus," said
+the curate, a shadow on his face. "If so, we cannot use it as a
+communion cup." Pratt laughed and raised his eyebrows at this scrupulous
+regard. "You can set your mind at rest," he said. "The priest who sold
+it to me on account of the poverty of his parish church said that the
+inscription was inscribed during the Middle Ages. It refers to the God
+of Christendom."
+
+"In that case," said the vicar beaming, "I accept the cup with pleasure
+and with many thanks. It shall be consecrated and placed on the altar by
+the end of this week."
+
+While the others were thanking and congratulating Mr Pratt, an
+expression of relief might have been noticed on his face. Mrs Gabriel,
+who knew his every look, wondered to herself why he appeared to be so
+pleased. Evidently he was thankful to be rid of the cup. However, she
+said nothing, as she was a wise woman, but added her congratulations to
+those of the others.
+
+"Everyone will be delighted," she said coldly. "Such generosity is
+unusual in Colester." But her glance hinted unusual as regarded Pratt.
+He received the hint smilingly.
+
+"I hope it will make me popular," said he. "I am weak enough to wish to
+be liked, and hitherto I have not secured the goodwill of the people."
+
+"You will have it now," said Raston, "and particularly that of Pearl
+Darry. She loves beautiful things for the altar, and as she attends to
+the decorating of the chapel, it will be a constant pleasure to her to
+keep this cup bright and spotless."
+
+"I hope it will be safe with her!" cried Mrs Bathurst. "These insane
+people are like magpies, and steal anything glittering that attracts
+their weak fancies. Are you _sure_ she will not take it away, Mr
+Raston?"
+
+The curate was indignant. "Pearl would no more do such a thing than take
+her own life, poor soul," he said. "She is devoted to the church.
+Religion, so far as her own poor brain understands it, is her one
+consolation."
+
+"She ought to be shut up," said Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"There I differ from you," said the vicar, mildly. "She is not harmful
+enough to be placed in durance. Let her enjoy liberty and sunshine, Mrs
+Gabriel. It is little pleasure she has."
+
+"She seems to me harmless enough," said Pratt, "and if this cup will be
+an additional pleasure to her, I am the more glad that Mr Tempest has
+accepted it. I shall have it wrapped up, vicar."
+
+"Thank you. Be very careful, Mr Pratt. So beautiful an object must not
+be carelessly dealt with." From which remark it will be seen that now
+the Roman goblet was the property of the Church it assumed quite a new
+value in the eyes of the priest. Formerly it was merely a beautiful
+example of the goldsmith's art; now it was sacred.
+
+After this the company repaired to the drawing-room, where Mr Pratt told
+stories until quite a late hour for Colester. Never had there been so
+agreeable a host in the dull little provincial town, and one and all
+confessed themselves charmed with their evening. "Quite an acquisition,"
+repeated Mrs Bathurst as she departed. "Mind you come and see me, Mr
+Pratt. Peggy will never forgive you if you do not." A foolish speech
+which sent poor Peggy away covered with blushes. But then Mrs Bathurst's
+zeal always outran her discretion.
+
+As Mr Pratt stood at his door waving a hearty good-bye to his guests, he
+saw that Hale was beside Leo and overheard a remark. "Come and see me in
+three days, Leo," the baronet was saying. "I want to speak to you most
+particularly."
+
+"Most particularly," echoed Pratt, thoughtfully. "Humph! What's up
+now?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+LOVE'S YOUNG DREAM
+
+
+The Colester folk were certainly pleased that Mr Pratt had adorned their
+beloved chapel with so magnificent a gift. They unbent so far as to
+smile when they curtsied or touched their hats, but did not take him to
+their bosoms. However, Pratt saw that he had made a step forward in
+their affections, and professed himself well pleased. "Rome was not
+built in a day," said he, philosophically.
+
+Mr Tempest installed the cup on the altar, where it glittered in front
+of the crucifix. It was an object of wonder and reverence to the simple
+villagers, and the vicar himself was no less pleased. Its weight, the
+beauty of the workmanship, and the splendour of the jewels, filled him
+with joy, and he came to regard the pagan vessel--as it undoubtedly
+was--as a kind of Holy Grail. Having made some such reference to it, the
+sexton Baker, an inquisitive octogenarian, wanted to know what the Holy
+Grail was. Forthwith Mr Tempest prepared a lecture, compounded of
+Mallory's prose work and Tennyson's poetical interpretation. This he
+delivered in the village schoolroom, and had the sacred cup placed on
+the table before him, so that his hearers might have the significance of
+the gift borne home to them. Pearl heard the lecture, and so much of it
+as her poor wits took in led her to look upon the cup as the very vessel
+itself mentioned in the poem. To Pearl the Pagan cup, as Frank Hale
+called it, was the veritable vessel from which the Master had drunk at
+that last sad feast. And no argument could shake this belief when she
+once got it into her head.
+
+"So ridiculous," said Mrs Jeal, sniffing. "I daresay Mr Pratt bought it
+in London. He is clever at inventing stories," whereupon Pearl flew into
+such a rage that the elder woman never ventured to hint a doubt of the
+cup. In her own queer way, and that was none of the most righteous, Mrs
+Jeal was fond of Pearl. It is true that she regarded her as a half-baked
+natural, but she would never let anyone but herself say so. Mrs Jeal was
+superstitious, and kept Pearl in her humble cottage as a kind of
+talisman against evil. Probably she felt it necessary for her to have
+some pure and innocent thing beside her. The Colester people never
+thought of this. They regarded Mrs Jeal as a hard-working, honest woman.
+She was certainly all that, and more. What the "more" was Mrs Jeal never
+explained. She was well able to hold her tongue.
+
+Meanwhile the cup stood on the altar, and Pearl frequently stared at it
+on her knees, dreaming Heaven knows what dreams, as its beauty flashed
+in the sunlight. She attended to her duties as usual, and the vicar had
+no reason to complain that the decking of the altar suffered. But the
+insane girl passed hours before the cup, drinking in its lovely colour
+and beauty of form. It was to her a kind of fetish, and she resented it
+being touched even when Mr Tempest used it for the purpose for which it
+had been presented. Pratt, hearing this, laughed, and was a little
+touched. He was sorry for the girl, and pleased that he had been the
+means of introducing a new element of beauty into her life.
+
+One day while Pearl was on her knees with clasped hands, Sybil entered
+the chapel. She had come here to meet Leo, for owing to the vigilance of
+Mrs Gabriel, a meeting was not easily arranged. Whenever Leo and Sybil
+were together, they would be joined by Mrs Gabriel, by Frank Hale or by
+Edith. It was no use resenting this addition to the company, for the
+inconvenient third would never take the hint. Consequently Leo met Sybil
+by stealth, and as those who interfered rarely came to the chapel save
+on Sunday, it was the chapel they chose for their meeting-place.
+Certainly Pearl was always haunting the shrine, but she gave them no
+trouble.
+
+Although the day was warm, Pearl had draped a shawl of white Chinese
+crape over her shoulders. This was a present from Mrs Jeal, who had many
+such beautiful things, although she would never say how she came by
+them. The girl still wore her favourite green dress and the straw hat,
+which had a fresh wreath of oak leaves round it. Every day the wreath
+was renewed, and some significance was attached to it by the wearer
+which was not understood by her friends. With her eyes fixed on the cup,
+and her hands clasped on her knee, she knelt on the lower step of the
+altar with a wrapt expression and moving lips.
+
+"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all
+manner of precious stones," she murmured, and went on with the verse
+enumerating the gems. Pearl knew much of the Bible by heart, and
+frequently recited long passages to herself. But, like a parrot, she
+could never be got to speak when she was wanted, and few knew the extent
+of her knowledge. Sybil overheard the words, and guessed that the poor
+creature applied them to the cup.
+
+A strong ray of sunlight streamed in through a small plain glass window
+in the chancel. It struck with a golden glory on the altar, and in its
+burning light the cup flashed with many hues. The gems with which it was
+adorned shot sparks of rainbow fire--the green or the emerald, the fiery
+red of the ruby, the amethyst, purple in colour as a ripe grape, and
+above all the fierce flash of a diamond that was in front of the vessel
+immediately above the Latin inscription. Sybil did not wonder that Pearl
+had a passion for the cup. It looked a singularly beautiful object
+glowing in the splendour of the sunlight, and might well have been the
+Holy Grail, as Pearl thought it was.
+
+"What is it, Pearl?" she asked, drawing near, but speaking low so as not
+to disturb the girl. For Pearl was like a wild animal, and shrank away
+even at the slightest sound. And even as she spoke the sunlight passed
+away.
+
+"It is gone, gone!" cried Pearl, rising with a wild look. "The Master
+has withdrawn His presence. I would that I could take it out where His
+sun would ever shine. Did you see the angels, Miss Sybil?"
+
+"What angels, Pearl?"
+
+"In the beam of the Master's glory. They ascended and descended like the
+angels of Jacob's dream. From the holy cup a shining pathway went up to
+heaven, and now it is gone."
+
+"The shining pathway will be there again at this same hour to-morrow,"
+said Sybil, comforting the girl.
+
+"But it endures only for a little while," sighed Pearl. "Oh, why doesn't
+the Master take His cup into the bright sunshine where it could grow
+warm and rejoice in the glory of day? And the sun would make it glitter
+like a thousand fires, nor would the moon withhold her light."
+
+"It is better here in this sacred place, Pearl."
+
+"The roof shuts out the light, Miss Sybil." And the girl looked at the
+great cup, now dull and colourless like a dead thing. "Only in the
+sunshines does the Master put out His hand to grasp His cup."
+
+"It is not the real cup, Pearl," said Sybil, incautiously.
+
+"How dare you say so?" shrieked the girl, tearing herself away from
+Sybil's grasp. "The vicar said it was the cup of the Master. I doubt you
+are one of the evil things its presence makes to fear," and with an
+indignant look Pearl moved swiftly down the aisle, murmuring as she
+went. At the door she broke into a jubilant chant, and Sybil gathered
+that she was recalling some lines of Tennyson which the vicar had
+repeated in his lecture:--
+
+    "Oh, yet methought I saw the Holy Grail,
+    All palled in crimson samite, and around
+    Great angels, awful shapes, and wings and eyes."
+
+Half singing, half reciting, she passed out of the door and brushed by
+Leo, who entered at the moment. Like a shadow she faded out of the
+church, and left him staring after her. But high and sweet in the
+distance rose her voice, singing like a lark.
+
+"What's the matter with her now?" asked Leo as Sybil met him.
+
+"Nothing much. She has a belief that yonder cup is the veritable Holy
+Grail, and when I suggested that it was not she grew angry. But what a
+memory she has!" added Sybil, linking her arm within that of Leo. "Did
+you hear her recite Tennyson's lines? Well, she only heard them once
+before."
+
+"I daresay. But she cannot read, and those who can't read have always a
+marvelous memory. But the wonder to me is that her poor, cracked brain
+can hold anything. I know she's mad about the Grail, as she called that
+cup. Mrs Jeal told me that Pearl expects the cup will some day be
+snatched up to heaven to be used there. Poor soul!"
+
+"It is a sweet belief, though," murmured Sybil; then, after a pause, she
+drew Leo into the side chapel where the crusaders were set stiffly on
+their tombs. "We are safe here, Leo. No one will come. Sit down beside
+this pillar and let us talk. We have much to say to one another."
+
+"And nothing very pleasant," sighed Leo, as he sat down, and slipped his
+arm round the girl's waist. "Oh, Sybil, how foolish I have been getting
+into debt and quarrelling with Mrs Gabriel! It will end with my going
+away to the war. Indeed, I intended to have gone this week, only I could
+not leave you, and besides--" Here Leo hesitated.
+
+"What is it?" she asked, noticing that he looked nervous.
+
+"There is a chance of my debts being paid."
+
+"Mrs Gabriel?"
+
+"No, indeed. At first she said she would pay. Now she has changed her
+mind. But Hale has offered to lend me the money."
+
+Sybil looked anxious. "I don't like that," she said decidedly. "It is
+not like him to be so generous."
+
+"My dear," said Leo, taking her hand, "you are too hard upon poor Frank.
+I have known him now for many years, and it is reasonable enough that he
+should be willing to help an old playfellow."
+
+"It is not like him," insisted Miss Tempest. "I hope he is not laying a
+trap for you, Leo. He is spiteful enough to do that."
+
+"And when he has caught me in his trap, Sybil?"
+
+She shook her head. "It is easy laughing, but I don't like your
+accepting a favour from that cross-grained little man."
+
+"You are uncharitable, my dear."
+
+"I don't want to be. I am sure I am sorry poor Sir Frank is so
+afflicted, but I really wish he had a sweeter nature. Besides," her eyes
+fell and she began to play with a button on Leo's coat, "he is--I
+think--too fond of me."
+
+"Can anyone be too fond of you?" asked Haverleigh, not taking in the
+real significance of this remark.
+
+"You do not understand, Leo. I mean that I think he intends to ask me to
+be his wife. Now don't be angry, for I am not sure if he will. It is
+only a kind of instinct I have that such is his intention."
+
+Haverleigh, confident in his good looks and virile strength, laughed
+good-humouredly. "I am not angry, my dear. The idea of that wretched
+little creature thinking of marriage!"
+
+"Who is uncharitable now, Mr Haverleigh?"
+
+The young man laughed. "Fairly hit," he said; "but really, Sybil, I
+don't think you need trouble about Hale. No man of his build and
+weakness would insult a woman by asking her hand in marriage. He is a
+queer little creature, but for all his cross-grained temper his heart is
+in the right place. I am sorry for him, and I feel his kindness in
+offering to help me. To be sure he is well off, but the kindness is all
+the same."
+
+"And what about his sister? She is in love with you."
+
+"So Mrs Gabriel says," responded Leo, coolly. "But that is all
+nonsense--much the same as your suspicions of Hale. Why, the girl never
+opens her mouth to me; she only looks and looks."
+
+"With her soul in her eyes!"
+
+"It must be a dull soul then, for I see no gleam in those eyes of hers."
+
+"You are most unsuspicious, Leo," said Sybil at length. "I have a kind
+of feeling that we are on the eve of some trouble. Have you noticed that
+until we found out this quiet spot Mrs Gabriel or Sir Frank and his
+sister always joined us?"
+
+"I noticed that, but it meant nothing." Leo paused and then continued,
+"I know that my mother wants me to marry Edith, but I told her plainly
+that I would not, and she has agreed to let me have my own way."
+
+"That is not like her," said Sybil, after a pause. "She always wants to
+have _her_ own way."
+
+"I think she is beginning to find me one too many for her, my love. It
+is this way, Sybil. I told her that if she went on treating me so badly
+I would enlist. That frightened her, and she has been kinder since."
+
+"I don't trust her, no more than I do Sir Frank. Are you going to take
+this money?"
+
+"As a loan I am, but I hope to pay it back."
+
+"How are you going to manage?"
+
+"Oh, Pratt has promised to make it right with my mother. He has a
+wonderful influence with her. You know he has been her friend for years,
+and she has great reliance on his judgment. I told him all my trouble,
+and he has promised to help me. It is not the first time he has done so,
+Sybil. Several times last year he lent me money."
+
+"I know he is a kind man," said Sybil; "but, Leo, I do wish you--"
+
+He stopped her mouth with a kiss. "I know what you are going to say,"
+was his half-laughing, half-serious remark, "and, indeed, my love, I am
+not worthy of you. But now I am a man, and I intend to put away all
+childish things--by which I mean the follies of youth. I have done
+nothing very wrong, Sybil. Indeed, my wickedness has been of the mildest
+description. I understood Mrs Gabriel to say that I was her heir, and so
+I thought I had a right to spend money. I overstepped the mark, and I
+own my fault. I should have been more sensible, but, indeed, Sybil, it
+is difficult for a man brought up in luxury to know when to stop. If my
+home had only been made more attractive to me, I should never have
+behaved so foolishly. But that page of my life is turned down now. It
+will close with the payment of this three hundred pounds, and henceforth
+I shall try and deserve your love."
+
+"That is right, darling. But don't you think it would be better to get
+Mr Pratt to see your mother and induce her to give you the money than
+take it from Sir Frank?"
+
+"No, my dear," said Leo, decidedly; "if my mother thinks that I am able
+to pay the money myself, she will be afraid lest she will lose me
+altogether and be more amenable to reason. I have arranged it all with
+Pratt. Hale is to lend me the money next week. I pay my debts. Then I
+shall get him to speak to Mrs Gabriel."
+
+"Does Mr Pratt know that Sir Frank proposes to lend you the money?"
+
+"No; I did not tell him that at Frank's special request. I merely said
+that I would put off paying the matter for a month. In the meantime he
+will speak to my mother."
+
+"It seems all wrong," said Sybil, with a sigh. "I can't help thinking
+that you are behaving foolishly."
+
+"I hope not, Sybil. But I must manage Mrs Gabriel somehow. I cannot have
+her treating me so badly. Sometimes she really seems to hate me. When my
+debts are paid I shall look about and see what I can do to earn my own
+living. I am half inclined to enlist in the Yeomanry."
+
+"Leo! Leo! Don't do that!" Sybil seized his arm. "I should lose you."
+
+"My dear, it is the only thing I am fit for. My mother would not let me
+have a profession, and I am not clever enough to make money. I should
+have gone into the army long ago. Indeed, it was my wish, only Mrs
+Gabriel would not consent. I think my father must have come of a
+fighting stock, Sybil, as I feel so inclined to be a soldier."
+
+"The Haverleighs were always simple country squires, Leo. I have heard
+my father speak of them often. There were no soldiers amongst them!"
+
+"Then I don't know where my aunt got her fierceness. By the way, Sybil,
+don't you get mixed by the many different ways I refer to that lady; I
+call her my mother, my aunt, and very often Mrs Gabriel."
+
+"I think the last name suits her best," said Sybil, "she is such a hard
+woman. Still, she has been kind to you, Leo."
+
+"I don't quite agree with you there," he answered a trifle bitterly. "If
+she took me in, she has made me feel my position. No, Sybil, I hope in
+some way to make a position for myself. Then Mrs Gabriel may be proud of
+me. At present I am only an object of her charity. Let me go for a
+soldier, my darling."
+
+"You must wait for a time, Leo," entreated Sybil. "If you are really
+bent upon enlisting, I shall not try and dissuade you. But, oh! how
+unhappy I shall be when you are in South Africa!"
+
+"Come, come, you will never do for a soldier's wife. Is it not better
+for me to be fighting for my country than staying here eating the bread
+of idleness? I am sure you would be prouder of me dead on the
+battlefield than to see me a hanger-on here."
+
+"Yes," said Sybil bravely, "I should."
+
+"In that case I shall enlist." And after taking her in his arms, he
+kissed her tenderly. "I shall be here for another week. Let us make the
+best of our time."
+
+Hand in hand they passed from the chapel, but at the door they suddenly
+separated. Mrs Gabriel was coming up the steps, and cast a cold smile at
+the pair. "I want to see you, Leo, when you can spare the time," she
+said.
+
+"I will come with you now," said Haverleigh. "And you, Sybil?"
+
+"I want to find Pearl Darry," said Miss Tempest; "she is offended with
+me, and I must make my peace with her. Good-day, Mrs Gabriel!"
+
+"Good-day!" said Mrs Gabriel in her stiffest manner. Then, as Leo walked
+down the road beside her, back to the castle, she added, "I understand
+that you are engaged, Leo, and without my consent?"
+
+"I am sorry you should be vexed," he said formally; "but I cannot
+sacrifice my life's happiness even for you."
+
+"Bless the boy! I don't want you to do that," said Mrs Gabriel, sharply.
+"And about this enlisting?"
+
+"I intend to enlist."
+
+Mrs Gabriel drew a long breath, and walked on in silence for a few
+moments. "Well," she said at length, "I think it is about the best thing
+you could do. Your debts?"
+
+"I shall see that they are paid," said Leo, calmly.
+
+"Oh, indeed! And where will you get the money?"
+
+"From a friend."
+
+Mrs Gabriel again became silent. "I don't think you are treating me
+altogether fairly, Leo."
+
+"I am willing to do whatever you think best, mother. But I am ashamed to
+live on your charity any longer. However, I promise you one thing. I
+shall not enlist for at least a month."
+
+Mrs Gabriel laughed silently. Many things might happen in a month.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+TROUBLE
+
+
+Still anxious to secure Mr Pratt for a son-in-law, Mrs Bathurst resolved
+to make some return to his hospitality. Her husband had very little
+money, and the lady was unable to give a dinner-party on account of the
+cost. Also Pratt had "done things so well"--so she put it--that she was
+unwilling to provoke comparisons. Nevertheless, some sort of
+entertainment had to be given, and after much reflection and many
+consultations with Peggy, it was decided that it should take the form of
+a picnic. The scenery around Colester was beautiful, the weather was
+fine, and the cost of an open-air entertainment would be comparatively
+small. Mrs Bathurst therefore issued cards.
+
+"We must make Mr Pratt one of ourselves," said the energetic lady; "and
+although we cannot hope to vie with his luxury, we can at least bestow
+what we have with liberal hearts."
+
+What Mrs Bathurst had in the way of food was principally sandwiches--the
+cheapest form of nourishment she could think of. As she had decided that
+the picnic should take place on the moor, where there were no roads, it
+was not necessary to hire vehicles to convey the party to the scene of
+revelry. "A good brisk walk will give everyone an appetite," said the
+hostess, "and the air will do us all good." Thus it came about that all
+those who had partaken of Pratt's hospitality found themselves the
+guests of Mrs Bathurst. Her husband, who characterised the picnic as
+foolery, was not present.
+
+By a dexterous arrangement the good lady contrived that Peggy should
+find herself in the company of Pratt. The little man was as neat and
+dapper as ever, and as Peggy strolled beside him over the heather, she
+could not but admit that he was a pleasant companion. The principal meal
+of the day had been devoured, and Mrs Bathurst's guests had been sent
+hungry away. Tea and a limited quantity of sandwiches were scarcely
+sufficient for appetites sharpened by the keen moorland air. However,
+there was nothing else; and now the company, split up into small
+parties, wandered here, there and everywhere. Peggy was with Pratt. He
+saw how Mrs Bathurst had manoeuvred to bring this about, and resolved
+to make use of the opportunity in a way of which the schemer would not
+approve.
+
+"Most beautiful place this, Miss Peggy," said Pratt, glancing round,
+"but I fear the company is not to your mind."
+
+"Oh! Mr Pratt, how can you say that!" said poor Peggy, divided between a
+desire to keep him at a distance and to avoid giving offence to her
+mother. "I am very pleased to be with you."
+
+"Well, I don't know, Miss Peggy. I am not a parson, you know."
+
+Peggy laughed and blushed. Her secret was everybody's property, and it
+was well known in Colester that she and Raston were attached to one
+another. Even Mrs Bathurst knew, but she was resolved to crush this
+affection before it grew too strong for her control. As a matter of fact
+it had already passed that stage, but Mrs Bathurst was not aware of
+that. "Mr Raston is quite happy with Miss Hale," said Peggy, frankly.
+She found Pratt sympathetic and did not mind speaking freely to him.
+
+"And I think Miss Hale would rather be with young Haverleigh," said her
+companion, "but he is with Miss Tempest."
+
+"And with Sir Frank Hale."
+
+"Who is the inconvenient third, Miss Peggy? We are all at sixes and
+sevens, I fancy. Even Mrs Gabriel and the vicar are badly matched.
+However, in a little time I shall ask Mr Raston to join us."
+
+"Not on my account," cried Miss Bathurst, hastily.
+
+"I understand, your mother would not be pleased."
+
+"Mr Pratt!" Peggy bit her lip. "Really, Mr Pratt!"
+
+"My dear young lady," said Pratt, with a twinkle, "do you think that I
+flatter myself that a battered old man like myself is your choice? No,
+indeed; although your mother would have it so. Like draws to like, and
+if I can bring it about you shall be Mrs Raston."
+
+"No chance of that," sighed Peggy. "Mr Raston is too poor!"
+
+"Oh, no. He has three hundred a year of his own, and it is more than
+probable that when Mr Tempest dies, Mrs Gabriel will give him the
+living. Then why won't your mother consent?"
+
+"She was not opposed to my engagement until--until--" Peggy hesitated.
+
+"Until I arrived," finished Pratt. "Set your mind at rest, Miss Peggy; I
+am not a marrying man; I have seen too much of the world."
+
+Peggy laughed and looked at him. His pleasant face was turned towards
+her, and she saw on his cheek a mark she had never noticed before. It
+was a tattooed star, very small and placed just under the jawbone.
+Unless looked for very closely it was apt to escape notice. But there it
+was, and being so close to the man, Peggy saw it very plainly. Perhaps
+she saw it the more clearly because Pratt held his head at a particular
+angle. He noticed the curiosity in her eyes, and flushed a trifle. He
+knew what she was looking at. "I had that done in the South Seas," said
+Pratt, rubbing the star; "foolish thing to have had done, but I was a
+reckless young sailor then. And see here, Miss Peggy," he rolled up his
+sleeve, that of the left arm. Immediately below the elbow there was a
+beautifully tattooed snake, half red and half blue. "That was done in
+Japan," he said.
+
+"You seem to have been everywhere, Mr Pratt?"
+
+"I have. That is why I have come down here to end my days in peace. I
+want everybody hereabouts to like me--you included, Miss Peggy."
+
+"I _do_ like you, Mr Pratt," protested Peggy. "Not, of course, like--"
+
+"I understand. Well, I shall speak to your mother about Mr Raston. Oh,
+do not look so afraid, Miss Peggy. I know very well what I am about. I
+have managed much more obstinate people in my time. All you have to do
+is to look pleased as though you were delighted with me. That will put
+your mother on the wrong scent."
+
+"Harold will not like it," objected Peggy, as they returned to join the
+others. "Harold is Mr Raston."
+
+"I gathered that from your blush," said Pratt, with a chuckle. "Well,
+leave it to me. There is Harold making signals. What is up now?"
+
+Mrs Bathurst informed them as soon as they came within earshot. "Come
+here at once, Peggy," she screamed. "Mr Pratt, come here! Mr Raston is
+about to take a group with his kodak. It will be a memorial of my
+picnic."
+
+The American did not seem pleased. For the moment his usually active
+tongue was silent, and he seemed unwilling to form part of the group. "I
+do not care about having my likeness taken, Mrs Bathurst," he said.
+
+"But indeed you must--in the group," said the lady, vigorously; "dear Mr
+Pratt, do not spoil the little memorial of my picnic."
+
+"It can be taken without me, Mrs Bathurst."
+
+"That would be the play of Hamlet with the Prince left out," replied the
+lady, gracefully. "Mrs Gabriel, add your entreaties."
+
+"Oh! Mr Pratt will not listen to me," said Mrs Gabriel, severely, "I
+know him of old. He can be obstinate when he chooses."
+
+Pratt laughed but gave her a sly look which made her wince. Strong woman
+as she was, there was something about this artless, good-natured little
+man which made her turn white and draw her breath in quick gasps. "I
+consent to be taken," said Pratt, withdrawing his gaze, "if I am
+permitted to arrange the group myself."
+
+"Certainly," said Raston, brightly. He had been exchanging a few words
+with Peggy. "Arrange it as you please."
+
+Leo, who had Hale at his elbow, ranged alongside the American. "You know
+where to place me," he said softly, and Pratt nodded. It was mainly for
+that reason that he wished to arrange the group.
+
+The result of his efforts was that Leo and Sybil were together, much to
+the wrath of the baronet and Mrs Gabriel. The others Pratt scattered
+anyhow, and placed himself at the back. Raston did not approve of this.
+
+"You can hardly be seen, Mr Pratt," he said. "Please come more forward."
+
+Pratt hesitated, but, catching sight of a cold smile on the face of Mrs
+Gabriel, he gave her a defiant look and placed himself in the position
+indicated by Mr Raston's outstretched finger. Then the curate adjusted
+his kodak and took three pictures. He also had to take a fourth, as Mrs
+Bathurst wanted herself to be seen making tea, surrounded by her guests.
+"To recall a happy, happy day," she explained.
+
+"You are fond of photography, Raston?" said Pratt, when this was over.
+
+"Very. I have taken pictures all round the place."
+
+"And the other day he took a picture of the cup you gave," put in Sybil.
+
+"I guess that's kind of him," said Pratt, gnawing his lip. "I suppose,"
+he was addressing Raston, "that you send copies of these to your
+friends?"
+
+"Indeed I do not," replied the curate, cheerily, "I take only a few
+copies and place them in an album. Certainly I have given a few to Miss
+Bathurst."
+
+"Natural, very natural," said Pratt, gravely; "you must give me one of
+the group you took just now." And without waiting for an answer he
+turned away. Somehow he seemed relieved to hear that the photographs
+were not likely to be sent round the country. And all the time Mrs
+Gabriel, who had listened to this conversation, heard it with a cold
+smile. She seemed rather pleased that Pratt should be upset, and upset
+he was, a remarkable thing in so calm a man.
+
+After a time Leo and Sybil slipped away, and were some distance across
+the moor before their absence was noticed. There was no chance of
+following them save in the most pointed manner, so Sir Frank, with a
+scowl, devoted himself to his sister. She was seated on the heather,
+staring after Leo with a despairing look. Frank patted her hand kindly.
+"He will come back, Edith," he whispered.
+
+"No," she replied, quietly, "he will never come back. Sybil has taken
+him away for ever. Don't worry about me, Frank."
+
+"Oh! as to that," retorted Frank, savagely, "I approve of that no more
+than you do. If you want to marry Leo, I wish to make Sybil my wife."
+
+"I am afraid neither of us will get our wishes," said Edith, with a
+sigh.
+
+"We'll see about that," muttered Frank; "at all costs I'll stop that
+marriage. Sybil must become my wife."
+
+Mrs Gabriel overheard him. "Make your mind easy, Frank," she said, "I
+can put an end to this." She cast a look at Pratt. "I could have done so
+long ago but for--" She stopped.
+
+"But for what, Mrs Gabriel?"
+
+"Nothing! nothing!" she said hastily. "A matter which does not concern
+you, Frank. But it is time to adopt strong measures. Mr Tempest"--she
+went to the vicar--"come for a stroll with me. I wish to speak to you."
+
+"About parish matters?" asked the vicar, rather nervously, for he knew
+Mrs Gabriel's tongue and temper. "Won't you speak to Raston?"
+
+"It is not about parish matters," said Mrs Gabriel. "It is concerning
+your daughter and Leo."
+
+Mr Tempest looked up sharply. "Indeed!" he said, with quite a new note
+in his voice. "Nothing wrong, I trust?"
+
+"I shall leave you to judge of that," replied Mrs Gabriel. "Come,
+vicar!" and she carried the old man away. Hale started after them
+distrustfully.
+
+"What does she intend to do now?" he muttered. "I intend to take my own
+way in this matter, and I don't trust her. Too clever by half!"
+
+Meantime Leo and Sybil, not thinking of the envy their happiness caused,
+were walking slowly along. Every now and then they would turn and look
+at one another and smile. The action seemed childish, but those who are
+deeply in love are often nothing but children. Then they came to talk of
+their future.
+
+"When are you going away, Leo?" asked Sybil.
+
+"I go to Town next Monday," replied Leo. "I start at seven o'clock for
+Portfront, and there take the steamer that leaves at ten."
+
+"And the money for your debts?"
+
+"That will be all right. Frank has promised to give it me this week. But
+the queer part is, Sybil, that he will not give me a cheque."
+
+"Why not?" she asked, stopping abruptly.
+
+"I don't know. Some whim on his part. He intends that I shall take it in
+sovereigns--yes, the whole three hundred pounds! There is a treasure to
+travel with! However, I shall take it to London and pay it into my bank
+there. Then I can settle with my creditors by cheque."
+
+"Does he give any reason why he wants you to take it in gold?"
+
+"No! But he is a queer chap, although a kind one. I must take the money
+as he chooses to give it. But do you know, Sybil, I believe Hale has the
+instincts of a miser, and likes to look at gold. I should not be
+surprised if he had a chest of sovereigns in his house. I expect that
+is why he gives me specie instead of a cheque or notes."
+
+"I don't like it at all," said Sybil, decisively.
+
+"There you go with your distrust!" said Leo, good-humouredly. "You will
+not make allowance for the queerness of poor Frank. Never mind, I will
+take the money as he chooses to give it. When my creditors are paid I
+shall see about enlisting."
+
+"You have made up your mind to that?"
+
+"Fully. Mrs Gabriel understands as much. And I do not think, Sybil,"
+said Leo, bending down, "that you will seek to dissuade me."
+
+Sybil paused for a moment. "No," she said at length, and her voice was
+firm, "it is a good thing for you to take up the burden of life, Leo.
+Even if you die in South Africa it will be better than that you should
+live on the charity of Mrs Gabriel. I admire your spirit."
+
+Leo shook his head sadly. "Don't admire anything about me, dear," he
+said. "Long, long ago, I should have earned my own living. I have been a
+fool too long. But now, Sybil, I intend to work my hardest for you. I am
+sure to get my commission, as there are plenty knocking about; and when
+I return, your father will consent to our marriage, and Mrs Gabriel will
+forgive me."
+
+"I don't think my father would ever object, Leo," said Sybil. "He would
+not care if you had little money. All he asks from anyone who marries me
+is that they come of a good stock. He has much family pride, you know."
+
+"Then he will easily be satisfied with the Haverleighs. They have been
+established in the place down yonder for centuries. I did not know,
+though, that he attached much value to pedigree, Sybil."
+
+"It is his one failing. He would not mind if I married a pauper, so long
+as my future husband had good blood in his veins. The one thing he would
+not permit would be that I should marry what he calls a 'base-born' man.
+But, of course, there is no danger of that."
+
+"No; I think my pedigree will satisfy Mr Tempest. But it is strange that
+he should attach such value to race."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," said Sybil, slowly. "I have a great opinion
+of race myself, Leo. But, come," she broke off, "there is my father
+waving to me. I wonder what he wants. To go home, I expect."
+
+Mr Tempest did, indeed, want to go home, and, moreover, he seemed by no
+means anxious for the company of Leo. Quite different to his usual self,
+he was stiff and cold towards the young man. Mrs Gabriel saw this, and
+smiled. Not in vain had she adopted the stronger measures of which she
+had spoken to Sir Frank. However, she gave Leo no time to talk to the
+vicar, but took possession of him and threw him into the company of Miss
+Hale. Leo was obliged to talk to the girl, for, although she bored him
+greatly, she was too unoffending a creature to hurt. Frank saw how
+dexterously Mrs Gabriel had managed, and came up to her. "What have you
+been doing?" he asked in a low voice.
+
+"Talking Mr Tempest over to my views about this marriage. Set your mind
+at rest, Frank. Leo will never become the husband of Sybil now."
+
+Sure enough matters seemed to be quite in Mrs Gabriel's favour. On
+arriving home Mr Tempest had a scene with his daughter, and forbade her
+to think any more of Leo. "Had I known of this before, it would not have
+gone so far," said the vicar; "but I have been blind. Fortunately, Mrs
+Gabriel has opened my eyes. It must stop!"
+
+"I am engaged to Leo Haverleigh," said Sybil, firmly.
+
+"Nothing of the sort!" retorted the vicar. "I won't have it, I tell you.
+I do not consider that Leo is a fit husband for you."
+
+"And what is your reason, father?"
+
+"I decline to give it you. Later on I may do so, but not now. Please do
+not argue, Sybil. I won't hear a word. You are neither to see Leo again
+nor are you to talk to him. I won't have it."
+
+"But, father--"
+
+"That's quite enough, Sybil. Not another word." And, as the girl knew of
+the rages into which her father was capable of falling, she said nothing
+more at the time lest she might provoke one. But this sudden change of
+front on the part of her easy-going father bewildered her.
+
+Leo was also at his wits' end to understand the new state of things.
+From the day of the picnic he never had a chance of seeing Sybil alone,
+nor was he asked, as formerly, to the Vicarage. Mr Tempest was coldness
+itself when they met, and appeared to wish to see as little of him as
+possible. Leo asked Mrs Gabriel what was the meaning of these things,
+but could get no answer. She only laughed insultingly, and said that Mr
+Tempest was of her opinion about this ridiculous marriage. Leo saw Mr
+Pratt, and consulted him.
+
+"I guess you'd better leave it to me," said Pratt, who was on the side
+of the lovers. "I'll bring Mrs Gabriel to reason."
+
+"But it is more the vicar that needs bringing to reason," argued Leo.
+"He has changed wholly towards me."
+
+"Perhaps he has heard of your debts," suggested Pratt, pondering.
+
+"What if he had! He knows that I am not so wild as everyone tries to
+make out. No. It is something else. I believe my mother has been saying
+something to him about me."
+
+Pratt looked up suddenly, but his face did not change. "I'll see Mrs
+Gabriel," he said calmly. "If she has said anything to the vicar likely
+to do you harm, I'll get her to tell me. I have known her for many
+years, Leo, and she often takes my advice."
+
+"I know. She has the very highest opinion of you, Pratt," said the
+innocent Leo; whereat Pratt chuckled.
+
+"I'll tell you what," he said. "I'll speak to Mrs Gabriel about your
+debts at the same time."
+
+"No; don't do that!" cried Leo in alarm. "You will only weaken my
+position with her. I want to settle these debts without her knowledge.
+I can raise the money, as I told you. Later on, when she comes round, I
+can get her to give me the sum and settle. She will surely do that when
+she hears that I have enlisted."
+
+"I daresay. In fact, I'm sure she will," said Pratt, with his queer
+smile. "Who is going to lend you the money meantime?"
+
+"I can't tell you that, Mr Pratt," said Leo, with dignity.
+
+"You might tell it to a worse person," said Pratt, rather offended.
+"However, keep your secret; I'll do what I can."
+
+"Don't be offended, Pratt. Indeed, as soon as possible I'll tell you."
+
+"There! There! Don't make a fuss over it," he said testily. "I know you
+are not such a fool as people think you are. And to tell you the truth,
+Leo, if you can pay these debts independently of Mrs Gabriel, I fancy
+she will think all the more of you. I don't offer to help you myself,
+because if she asks me I want to be able to say 'no' for reasons which I
+will explain later. But I tell you what, Leo. If, when you get these
+matters settled and enlist, Mrs Gabriel won't come round, I'll give you
+the money myself to repay the loan, and fit you out for South Africa."
+
+"You are indeed a friend," cried Leo, with emotion, and the two men
+shook hands. They understood each other very well.
+
+But all this time Leo was pining to get a sight of Sybil. It is true
+that he sometimes saw her in the distance; but she was always with her
+father, and he could not come near. However, it came about that Sybil
+induced Pearl to take a note to Leo. She explained in it that her father
+had taken a dislike to the marriage, and that the only chance of things
+being arranged lay in Leo going away for a time. Several notes passed
+between the lovers, and then their kindly messenger fell ill, but not
+before it was understood that Sybil was to leave a note or so in a
+certain crack in the chapel wall, which they could use as a post-office.
+And out of that subterfuge all the subsequent trouble arose.
+
+Pearl was really ill. She was in the habit of wandering about at night,
+and as the wet weather was coming she had been caught on the moor in a
+thunderstorm. Now she was laid up with a severe cold. Raston was
+particularly anxious about her. Leo met him one day, and the curate was
+red with indignation. It seemed he had good cause for it.
+
+"Did you ever hear of anything so wicked, Haverleigh?" he asked.
+
+"What is the matter now?"
+
+"Why, that poor mad child! She is very ill, as you know, but is getting
+on all right; Dr James says she is well on the way to recovery. Now Mrs
+Jeal took it into her head that the girl was dying, and has been
+frightening her with stories of eternal torment. You know, Pearl always
+believed that she would go to heaven, and be at the Supper with the
+Master, as she calls Our Lord. She never had any doubt. Now these
+gruesome stories of Mrs Jeal's have made her doubt if she will be saved.
+In fact, she believes now that unless the Master gives her some sign she
+will be lost!"
+
+"How cruel of Mrs Jeal," said Leo, angrily.
+
+"Oh! I believe she did it for the best. She is fond of Pearl, and kind
+to her. But you know she came from the north, and she holds to that
+gloomy Calvinistic religion that has terrified so many people. I gave
+her a good talking to, and she has consented to leave Pearl alone. All
+the same, she still holds that the child is a lost soul. I have been
+trying to pacify the poor creature. She is haunted by terrible fears."
+
+"Show her the cup!" suggested Leo. "She has such a belief in it as the
+Holy Grail that it may soothe her."
+
+"A good idea," said the curate. "I will ask Mr Tempest about it. But I
+cannot take it to her till Monday. To-morrow I preach in the evening. I
+hear you are going up to Town."
+
+"On Monday morning early. When you next hear of me, Raston, I may have
+enlisted."
+
+"And a good thing too," said Raston. "But that I am a clergyman I should
+have been a soldier. Good-day! Come to church to-morrow."
+
+And to church Leo went to see Sybil in her pew. He also went to the
+evening service. On Monday he departed for London. But no one heeded his
+going. The village was excited by a rumour that the cup had been stolen.
+On hearing the report Mr Tempest went to the church. It was true. The
+cup was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A NINE DAYS' WONDER
+
+
+Ill news spreads like circles on water when a stone is thrown in.
+Barker, the old sexton, a white-haired, crabbed sinner, was the first to
+discover the loss. He had gone to the chapel at seven in the morning to
+make ready the church for early celebration, and on going to the altar
+he had noticed that the cup was missing. Nothing else had been touched.
+At once the old man had trotted off to see the vicar, and in a quavering
+voice related what had taken place, finishing with a hope that he would
+not be blamed for the loss.
+
+"You locked the chapel up last night?" asked Mr Tempest, sorely
+distressed, for indeed this was sacrilege and not a common robbery.
+
+"'Deed and I did!" replied Barker, sturdily. "And I took the key home
+with me. My wife saw me place it on its nail just inside the door."
+
+"Was the church door locked?"
+
+"Fast locked, sir. And all the windows fastened. I went round the chapel
+to see if I could find any sign."
+
+"When did you leave the church last night, Barker?"
+
+"At nine o'clock, after I made everything right for the night. It was
+after evening service, if you mind, Mr Tempest. Then I went home and put
+the key in its place. My Joan and I went then to a neighbour for a bit
+of supper. We got home again about eleven."
+
+"And the key was still on its nail?"
+
+"Well, sir," said Barker, scratching his white locks, "I didn't look.
+But it was there this morning; so it could not have been taken away.
+Besides, my Joan locked the door of our cottage. No one could have got
+in."
+
+"The cup was on the altar when you left the church last night?"
+
+"On the altar where it ought to be. But this morning it's nowhere to be
+seen. I hope you don't think it's my fault, sir."
+
+"No," replied Mr Tempest. "I cannot see that you are to blame. But this
+is a very serious matter, Barker. I did not know that there was anyone
+in Colester who would have committed such a crime."
+
+"It's terrible," sighed the sexton. "And what that poor lass Pearl will
+say I don't know."
+
+"She must not hear of it," said Raston, who entered at the moment. "She
+thinks so much of the cup that in her present state of health its loss
+may do her much harm."
+
+"Is she very ill, Raston?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Much worse than she was last night. But Mrs Jeal is giving
+her all attention, and I have sent Dr James. But about this loss, sir?"
+
+"We had better go to the chapel, Raston, and see with our own eyes."
+
+Followed by Barker, still protesting that it was not his fault, the
+vicar and the curate went up to the church. It was surrounded with a
+crowd of people, for the news had spread quickly. Some looked in at the
+door, but no one had ventured to enter, as each one was afraid if he did
+an accusation might be levelled against him. Mr Tempest told Harris, the
+local policeman, to keep back the crowd, and entered the chapel followed
+by his curate. All was as Barker had said. There was the altar covered
+with its white cloth, and with the withered flowers still in the vases.
+The gilded crucifix was also there; but not a sign of the cup. It had
+vanished entirely. Tempest sighed.
+
+"A terrible thing for the man who stole it," he muttered. "This is no
+common robbery. Raston, let us examine the church."
+
+The two went round it carefully, but could find nothing for a long time
+likely to enlighten them as to the cause of the robbery. Then in the
+lepers' window, a small opening at the side of the chancel, Raston
+discovered that some of the stones had been chipped. "I believe the
+church was entered through this window," said Raston, but the vicar was
+inclined to doubt.
+
+"The window is so small that no grown man could have got through," he
+said.
+
+They went outside, and certainly against the wall and immediately under
+the window were marks, and scratches of boots, as though someone might
+have climbed the wall. Also the sides of the window were broken, as
+though a way had been found through. The lepers' window was so small
+that no care had been taken to put in glass or iron bars. Besides, no
+one had ever expected that the chapel would be robbed. In all its
+centuries of history nothing up till now had ever been taken from it.
+And now the most precious thing of all had vanished!
+
+"And during my occupation of the Vicarage," said Mr Tempest. "It is
+really terrible!"
+
+However, in spite of the loss, he held the service as usual, and as a
+great number of people, attracted by the news of the robbery, had come,
+the chapel was quite full. Service over, Tempest returned to the
+Vicarage, and found Mr Pratt waiting to see him.
+
+"This is a nice thing!" said Pratt, looking annoyed, as well he might,
+seeing that his magnificent gift had disappeared. "I did not know that
+you had thieves in the parish, Mr Tempest!"
+
+"Neither did I," groaned the vicar, sitting down. "Hitherto we have been
+singularly exempt from crime. And now one of the very worst sort has
+befallen us! Not a mere robbery, Mr Pratt. Sacrilege, sir, sacrilege!"
+
+The American turned rather white as Tempest spoke. He had not regarded
+the robbery save as a common one. The idea that it was sacrilege placed
+it in a new light. Yet Mr Pratt was sharp enough to have guessed this
+before. The wonder was that he had not done so.
+
+"What are you going to do?" he asked, after a pause.
+
+"Raston has sent for the police at Portfront. I expect the inspector
+will come over this afternoon."
+
+Pratt shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think much of the police," he
+said. "The metropolitan detectives are stupid enough; but the provincial
+police--oh, Lord! I beg your pardon, Mr Tempest; I forgot myself."
+
+"No matter, no matter," said Tempest, wearily. "I can think of nothing
+save our great loss. And your gift, too, Mr Pratt! Terrible!"
+
+"Well," said the American, cheerfully, "if this cup can't be found, I
+guess I must find you another one."
+
+"The cup _shall_ be found," cried the vicar, vehemently. "The culprit
+must belong to this parish, else he would not have known the lepers'
+window in the chapel. We shall find the guilty person yet, Mr Pratt."
+
+"I hope so," said Pratt, with another shrug; "but he seems to have got
+away very cleverly. I shall see you this afternoon when you interview
+the inspector, Mr Tempest. I should like to have a hand in the
+discovery."
+
+"Certainly, certainly. Who but you, the giver of the cup, should wish to
+help? Come here this afternoon, Mr Pratt."
+
+As Pratt left the Vicarage he met Sybil, who looked sad. "Don't take on
+so, Miss Tempest," he said; "we'll find the cup yet."
+
+"I was not thinking so much of that," explained Sybil; "but this morning
+my poor dear Leo went away."
+
+"When is he coming back?"
+
+"Towards the end of next week. I wonder who can have taken the cup?"
+
+Pratt sneered, an unusual thing for so good-natured a man. "No doubt the
+Portfront police will tell us," he said; "but I haven't much opinion of
+law officers myself, Miss Sybil. I once lost a lot of gems in London,
+and the thief was never found. Are you fond of gems? Come to my house
+and I'll show you my collection. I have several thousand pounds' worth."
+
+"Is it not dangerous to keep them in your house after this robbery?"
+
+Pratt laughed. "I don't think a thief would steal them so easily as the
+cup!" he laughed. "I have a good dog and a capital revolver. No, Miss
+Sybil, I can look after my property well, I assure you."
+
+When he went away Sybil sighed and sought her room. The departure of Leo
+had left her very sad. She did not know what would become of him. He
+would pay his debts and then enlist for South Africa. In that case she
+would not see him again for months. Perhaps never--for it might be that
+some bullet would lay him low on the veldt. However, for the sake of her
+father, she strove to assume a light-hearted demeanour. The vicar felt
+the loss of the cup keenly. And although Sybil thought he had treated
+her hardly in her love affair, she laid all thoughts of self aside so as
+to comfort him in his trouble.
+
+As for Pratt, he walked back to his own house. At the foot of the Castle
+Hill he met Mrs Gabriel, who seemed to be in a great state of
+indignation. As usual, her anger was directed against Leo.
+
+"He came to me last night and said that he was going up to London to pay
+his debts. This morning he went off at seven without taking leave. Now,
+Mr Pratt, you have been giving him the money to pay his debts."
+
+"Indeed I have not, Mrs Gabriel," said Pratt, quite prepared for this
+question. "I have not given him a sixpence."
+
+"Then where did he get so large a sum?" asked the lady, anxiously.
+
+"I don't know. He told me that someone had lent it to him."
+
+"A likely story! As if anyone here would trust him with money without a
+guarantee! Mr Pratt--" Here Mrs Gabriel stopped and her face went white.
+A thought had struck her and she was about to speak. But she saved
+herself in time and stared at her companion.
+
+"What is the matter?" said Pratt, anxiously. He thought she would faint,
+a weakness he had never hitherto associated with Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"Nothing," she replied in a strangled voice. "But Leo--I must see
+Frank," and without another word she hurried away.
+
+Pratt stared after her as he could not conjecture what she meant. Then
+he shrugged his shoulders and went back to The Nun's House. That same
+afternoon he called again at the Vicarage, and there found Mr Tempest in
+consultation with a grey-haired man whom he introduced as Inspector
+German. The police officer, who had a shrewd face with keen eyes, nodded
+in a friendly manner. "I understand you gave this cup to the chapel, Mr
+Pratt," he said. "Pity it is lost."
+
+"A great pity," replied Pratt, who was making a thorough examination of
+the man, and now seemed much more at ease than when he had entered. "I
+hope the thief has gone away, however. I have in my house several
+thousand pounds' worth of gems, and I don't want him to come after
+them."
+
+"How do you know it was a man?" asked German, quietly.
+
+"I don't know," responded the American, with a stare and a laugh. "I
+only speak as others do. For my part, I believe that there were two
+people concerned in the robbery--a man and a boy."
+
+"Certainly a boy," replied Tempest, looking up. "No one but a small boy
+could have forced himself through that window."
+
+"Then you don't think, Mr Tempest, that a woman can have had anything to
+do with the matter?"
+
+Tempest stared. The idea seemed ridiculous. "I do not think a woman
+would commit so wicked an act," he said stiffly.
+
+"Oh, as to that," interposed Pratt, "women are as wicked as men, and
+worse when the fit takes them. But I see what Mr Inspector means. He has
+heard of Pearl Darry's devotion to the cup."
+
+"It was not Pearl!" cried Mr Tempest, indignantly. "I am sure of that.
+Why, the poor child regarded that cup as something too holy to be
+touched--as it was," added the vicar, reverently.
+
+"Well," said German, after a pause, "I have been talking to your
+villagers about her. It seems that she was always haunting the chapel
+and looking at the cup. She might have been seized with a desire to have
+it for her very own. She is insane, I believe, and insane people have
+very mad ideas. Also she is small and could easily have forced herself
+through the lepers' window, of which she would know the position."
+
+Pratt looked with contempt at the officer. He was even more stupid than
+he had given him credit for. "You can rest easy, Mr Inspector," he said.
+"It was not Pearl who stole my cup. She has been ill in bed for the last
+few days and unable to move, as Mrs Jeal and Dr James will tell you."
+
+"I must make certain of that myself," said the inspector. "Will you come
+with me, Mr Pratt?"
+
+"Not I," replied the American. "I think you are going on a wild-goose
+chase. The best thing for you to do, Mr Inspector, is to see if any
+vagabonds have been in the village lately."
+
+"I have already done so," replied German, coolly; "and the villagers
+assure me that no stranger has been seen hereabouts for some days.
+However, I am willing to give this girl the benefit of the doubt. But I
+must see her."
+
+As Pratt still refused to come and Tempest was unwilling to call at the
+cottage of Mrs Jeal on such an errand, the inspector went himself. He
+found no difficulty in entering, as Raston was at the door. All the
+same the curate was indignant on hearing the accusation. He took German
+into the sitting-room, but refused--and in this he was backed up by the
+doctor--to let the inspector enter the bedroom of the sick girl. Not
+that German desired to do so after an interview with Mrs Jeal. She was
+most indignant at the slur cast upon the character of the girl she
+called her adopted daughter. There was a scene, and Mrs Jeal proved
+herself to be more than equal to the official from Portfront.
+
+"I never heard anything so wicked in my life," cried Mrs Jeal. "The poor
+child may be mad, but not mad enough to take what is not her own. I
+wonder at you, sir, that you should come here on such an errand."
+
+"My duty is clearly before me," replied the inspector, stiffly. "Is the
+girl really and truly ill?"
+
+"You can take my word for that, Mr German," said Raston. "Or, if you do
+not believe me, here is Dr James!"
+
+"Ill!" repeated the doctor, when the question was put to him. "She had a
+bad attack of inflammation of the lungs, and she is worse this morning
+than I have ever seen her. I do not wish her disturbed, Mr Inspector."
+
+"She could not have gone out last night to the chapel, doctor?"
+
+"Not without the risk of being dead this morning," replied James, dryly.
+"Besides, Pearl Darry is not a thief. No, sir. Whosoever stole that cup,
+it was _not_ my patient."
+
+"And I would have you know," cried Mrs Jeal, with her arms akimbo, "that
+I sat beside her the most of last night, and not one step did she stir
+off the bed."
+
+"Ah, well," said German, who could not go against this evidence, "it is
+very plain that I am in the wrong. Unless--"
+
+"There's no _unless_ about it, sir," cried Mrs Jeal. "Pearl wasna oot o'
+this hoose;" in her excitement she was falling into the Scotch speech of
+her childhood. "I wonder at ye, I do that! Hoots, awa' wi' ye!"
+
+Baffled in this quarter, the inspector took his way into the village.
+First he examined the chapel. Then he started out to make inquiries. For
+quite three days he exasperated everyone in the village with his
+questions and suspicions. But for all his worry he was unable to get at
+the truth. No tramps had been to the village. Old Barker proved his
+innocence with the assistance of a wrathful wife, and there was not a
+single person to whom the well-meaning but blundering inspector could
+point as likely to have stolen the cup. Finally, he was obliged to state
+that he could do nothing, and withdrew himself and his underlings from
+Colester, much to the relief of the villagers, whom he had grievously
+offended by his unjust suspicions. The cup had vanished as though it had
+been swallowed up by the earth, and no one was able to say who had taken
+it.
+
+"A grievous loss," sighed Mr Tempest, when he became resigned. "But I
+sorrow not so much for the theft of the cup as for the awful sacrilege
+of which the thief has been guilty." And he took occasion to refer to
+the terrible deed in a wrathful sermon. The villagers shook in their
+shoes when they heard of the ills likely to befall the thief. But not
+one was able to say who was guilty.
+
+For a whole week things went on much as usual, and the excitement died
+away. Leo was still in London, and, through Pratt, Sybil had heard from
+him. He had seen his creditors and had settled all his debts. He was now
+thinking about enlisting. Before he could do so, however, Sybil sent a
+message recalling him to Colester to defend his good name.
+
+It so happened that Barker held his tongue for some time, but when the
+first effects of the fright lest he might be accused passed away, he
+began to talk. The old man was given to babbling in his cups. Thus it
+came about that he mentioned that he believed Mr Haverleigh had taken
+the cup. It seemed that Barker had seen Leo near the chapel, as he was
+leaving it about half-past nine. Mr Haverleigh, said the old man, had
+seemed to shun recognition, and had hurried past him. Not thinking
+anything of the matter, Barker had left him near the chapel door. Now,
+however, he hinted that Leo might have had some reason to be there at so
+untoward an hour. Also, he had gone away the next morning early. It was
+well known in Colester that the young man was in debt, and that his
+mother had refused to pay his debts. What, then, was more likely, people
+argued, than that Leo should have stolen the cup, should have taken it
+up to London before the loss was discovered, and should have sold it to
+pay his debts? In a few hours this sorry tale was all over the place,
+and so came to Sybil's ears. It was her father who heard it, and her
+father who told her.
+
+"But surely you do not believe it!" cried the girl, when the accusation
+was made. "You have known Leo all these years! Whatever you may have
+against him, father, you know that he would never commit so wicked an
+act."
+
+"I say nothing until I hear what _he_ has to say," replied the vicar,
+who, for some reason, seemed to be biased against Leo. "But you must
+admit that it was strange he should be near the chapel at so late an
+hour. And we know that he is deeply in debt. Mrs Gabriel told me herself
+that he owed three hundred pounds. In a moment of madness--"
+
+"I won't hear a word against Leo!" interrupted Sybil, pale but resolute.
+"Not if an angel came down to accuse him would I believe him guilty! How
+could he have got the key? And if he did not get the key, how could he
+have forced himself through that small window?"
+
+"I say nothing until I hear his defence," said the vicar, obstinately;
+"but the whole affair is highly suspicious."
+
+"I never knew you to be unjust before, father," cried Sybil. "Mrs
+Gabriel has infected you with her dislike of Leo. I shall say nothing
+myself, although I could say more than you think. But I shall send at
+once to Leo, and he shall come back to rebut this wicked accusation."
+
+Without listening to another word, Sybil ran off to see Pratt, who was
+equally indignant. "It is disgraceful," he said furiously. "Leo never
+would do such a thing, never! Be comforted, my dear. I'll ride over to
+Portfront this very day and send a wire to him."
+
+And this he did without delay. More than that, he defended Leo heartily
+when he returned; so did Raston. Hale kept silent. But the majority of
+the villagers were against the young man. Leo returned in disgrace.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+HAVERLEIGH'S DEFENCE
+
+
+Thanks to the care of Dr James, and the nursing of Mrs Jeal, the sick
+girl took a turn for the better. In a remarkably short space of time she
+began to improve, and when Leo arrived back in Colester she was on a
+fair way of recovery. Although the doctor did not like Mrs Jeal, he
+could not but admit that no mother could have been kinder than the
+midwife. She waited hand and foot, day and night, on Pearl, and refused
+to let anyone take her place, even when she was worn out with watching.
+In the middle of her trouble she was called away to London.
+
+One day shortly after the theft of the cup she received a telegram from
+Town informing her that her father was seriously ill, and that she was
+to come up at once if she wanted to see him alive. Now, if there was one
+strong feeling Mrs Jeal possessed it was love for her father, of whom
+she often spoke. Much as she liked Pearl, she was not prepared to stay
+beside her in the face of such a summons. The old man might die if she
+delayed.
+
+"I can get Joan Barker in to nurse Pearl," she said to the doctor, "and
+go at once to London. I may be away a week or two."
+
+"Humph!" said James, running his eye over the telegram. "I suppose you
+must go; the matter seems urgent. Mrs Barker is not so good a nurse as
+you, though."
+
+"But Pearl is much better, doctor," said Mrs Jeal, anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I'll pull her through. Well, pack your traps, Mrs Jeal. Myself and
+Mr Raston will attend to Pearl with the assistance of Mrs Barker. You
+must leave me some address, though, in case anything goes wrong during
+your absence. Not that I think anything will; Pearl is mending rapidly."
+
+Mrs Jeal gave an address in a humble Battersea street, and in a few
+hours was ready for the road. She took a tender leave of Pearl, to whom
+she appeared to be sincerely attached, and that same morning left for
+Portfront by a carrier's waggon. When she departed the village was still
+filled with anxiety regarding the loss of the cup.
+
+As has been said before, no railway had yet opened up the solitudes of
+Colester and King's-meadows. But those who wished to get quickly to
+London took the steamer from Portfront, and in a few hours came to
+Worthing, at which place a train was easily procurable. Mrs Jeal took
+this route, and having started early she arrived in Town that same
+night. She sent a wire telling of her arrival to Dr James. He showed it
+to Sir Frank Hale.
+
+"Quick work," said James; "yet we are far enough away from the world
+here."
+
+"That's true," replied the baronet. "So Mrs Jeal has gone to Town! I
+saw her at Portfront when I was there yesterday morning. It is not often
+she goes to Town. I suppose she does not wish to lose the money."
+
+"The money, Hale? What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, it seems, from what Mrs Jeal told me, that her father is not badly
+off, and if he dies she will come into a tidy bit of money. There are
+other relatives, though, and she was afraid lest they should get the old
+man to leave the fortune to them."
+
+"Fortune!" said James, with a smile; "a large word for a small legacy."
+
+"I don't know so much about that," responded the cripple, snappishly.
+"From what the woman told me, her father is well off. He was a porter or
+something in a stockbroker's office, and dabbled in mines himself. It
+seems he was lucky in his speculations and made money. By the way,
+James, has Haverleigh turned up yet?"
+
+"No, but I heard that Mr Pratt had sent a telegram to him. I expect he
+will wonder what is the matter that Pratt should ask him to come back."
+
+"Not he!" growled Hale. "He knows well enough."
+
+"Why, Hale, you don't believe he stole the cup?"
+
+The cripple remained silent for a time. "It is a difficult thing for me
+to say," he finally remarked. "You know, James, that my sister Edith is
+deeply in love with the man. I don't like him myself; I never did. But
+if he would marry my sister I should not decline the alliance. I put her
+happiness before my own feelings. Well, under the circumstances, I
+really am not prepared to give an opinion. I know that Leo was in debt,
+and it is common talk that Mrs Gabriel refused to pay his debts; yet she
+informed me that he went up to London to settle them. Now, he must have
+got the money from somewhere, and who would trust him?"
+
+"It looks black against him, I confess," replied James, shaking his
+head; "still, I cannot believe that Haverleigh would sink to being a
+common thief. You will see when he returns that he will be able to
+explain."
+
+"If he ever _does_ return," growled Hale, doubtfully.
+
+"He will. Why, Miss Tempest believes in him, and he must come back if
+only to justify her faith. I believe those two are in love with one
+another, Hale. Well, they will make a handsome couple."
+
+"He will have to get back his good name first," retorted Hale,
+jealously. "And as to there being anything between them--I don't believe
+it. Good-day, James. Don't go spreading cock-and-bull stories."
+
+As the baronet walked off the doctor looked after him with a smile of
+contempt. He knew that Hale was madly in love with the vicar's daughter,
+and that he regarded Leo as a too successful rival. "You'll be delighted
+if the poor chap comes to harm," muttered James; "you are a viper! But I
+am sure Haverleigh will clear himself. A girl like Sybil Tempest is not
+likely to be deceived in the character of the man she loves. I would
+rather believe her than you, Sir Frank Hale!" And James, who had no
+great love for the spiteful little cripple, walked away to see Pearl.
+
+By this time the opinion was that Leo would not return. It was positive,
+said the gossips, that he had stolen the cup in order to procure money
+for the payment of his debts. The most likely thing was that he would
+clear out of the country.
+
+"What fools these people are," said Pratt, who heard this. "If the man
+intended to leave the country he certainly would not pay his debts. Only
+a heaven-born ass would do that. He would take the money himself and
+leave his creditors unpaid." But the gossips did not see matters in that
+light. They were bent upon thinking the worst of Leo.
+
+All this time Mrs Gabriel said nothing, but remained shut up in the
+castle. She knew well enough what was being said about Leo, and could
+not bear to face anyone, the more particularly as she did not know how
+to defend him. She denied herself to everyone, even to Pratt, although
+he called several times to interview her on behalf of her nephew. The
+young man had a strong defender in Pratt. He went about everywhere
+insisting on Haverleigh's innocence. In this opinion he was supported by
+Sybil, by the curate, and, strange to say, by Mrs Bathurst.
+
+"The whole thing is absolute nonsense," said Mrs Bathurst. "Why should
+Mr Haverleigh be such a fool? Mrs Gabriel would have paid his debts in
+the long run. And then if he had not wished to pay them himself, he
+could have enlisted and slipped away to Africa without anyone being the
+wiser. Then there's another thing. He would not commit a crime for such
+a purpose. If he was in difficulties before, he would not make them
+worse by putting himself within reach of the law." All of which was
+common-sense, although Leo's enemies were too much bent on thinking the
+worst of him to accept such a reasonable view.
+
+It was while matters were in this state that Leo Haverleigh returned. He
+drove up to the castle one night without informing anyone of his coming.
+Mrs Gabriel was amazed when he presented himself before her. He looked
+bright and cheerful, not at all like a man who had been accused of a
+sordid crime. But it must be remembered that Leo knew nothing of his new
+reputation. All he knew was that Pratt, at the instance of Sybil, had
+recalled him to Colester. He thought that this telegram had to do with
+some new difficulty with regard to his love affairs.
+
+"Good evening, mother," he said as he marched into the room where Mrs
+Gabriel was sitting. "I have returned, you see."
+
+"And are you not ashamed?" cried Mrs Gabriel, rising, with a wrathful
+expression. "I thought some feeling of decency would have kept you
+away."
+
+"Oh, come now, mother," returned Leo, trying to keep his temper, "I am
+not so bad as all that. If I have been foolish and extravagant, surely
+you can forgive. Besides, my debts are paid. I am a free man."
+
+"You won't be a free man long," said Mrs Gabriel, grimly. "I am willing
+to do what I can for you, badly as you have treated me. But I cannot
+condone a felony! That is out of the question."
+
+Leo stared and sat down. "You use very extraordinary words," he said at
+length. "I never heard that a man who was in debt could be called a
+felon. Come, mother," he went on, trying to be amiable--a difficult task
+with a woman like this. "Don't use big words for a trifle. I intended to
+enlist, but I thought I would come down first to see you and talk the
+matter over. You have been kind to me and I do not want to part in
+anger. Let us arrange matters in a kindly spirit."
+
+Mrs Gabriel looked at him aghast at his boldness. "How dare you speak to
+me like this," she cried. "Are you not aware that everyone in Colester
+is talking of your crime?"
+
+"Crime!" Leo started to his feet. "What crime?" He looked bewildered.
+
+"As if you didn't know! I wonder you have the impertinence to come back
+here! How much did you sell the cup for?"
+
+Leo still looked puzzled. "Cup!" he echoed. "What cup?"
+
+Mrs Gabriel grasped him by the shoulders and shook him, her eyes blazing
+with anger. "You are absolutely shameless," she cried. "I mean the cup
+which Mr Pratt presented to the chapel, and you know too! It has been
+stolen, and _you_ are the thief."
+
+Haverleigh stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Is
+this a joke, mother?" he said at length. "If so, it is a very poor
+one."
+
+"It is not a joke," retorted Mrs Gabriel, still angry. "The cup was
+missing on the very morning you went up to London. You stole it, Leo,
+and took it away to pay your debts. I never--"
+
+"Nor did I!" cried Haverleigh, now beginning to lose his temper. "Who
+dares to say such a thing about me?"
+
+"The whole village says it, and everyone believes it."
+
+"Does Sybil?"
+
+"I don't know; nor do I care. And so far as she is concerned, you need
+not think to marry her. Mr Tempest will never let his daughter become
+the wife of a--"
+
+"Stop!" cried Leo, before she could utter the shameful word. "How dare
+you call me by a foul name? I know perfectly well you hate me; but you
+have no right to believe that I did this thing. I know that Sybil
+believes me guiltless. She would never credit the man she loves with
+such a contemptible crime. And Pratt believes in me also. He sent me a
+telegram asking me to come back. I thought it had to do with some
+trouble you had made over my engagement to Sybil. I never expected this.
+How dare you accuse me of such a crime?"
+
+"The whole village accuses you," said Mrs Gabriel, passionately. "You
+have paid your debts. I know you have. Where did you get the money? Not
+from me--not from Pratt, for I asked him. And Barker saw you lurking
+about the chapel on Sunday night at a late hour. What were you doing
+there if it was not to steal? Oh, shame upon you, Leo! How can you
+stand there and deny your guilt?"
+
+"Because I am not guilty!" cried Leo, furiously. "I tell you I did not
+steal the cup. I did not even know that it was lost. I _was_ near the
+chapel on that night and at that hour. I can explain why I was there."
+
+"Explain then," said Mrs Gabriel, with a stamp.
+
+"Not to you, and not until I have thought over my position. Everyone
+seems to have judged me guilty without giving me an opportunity of
+defending myself."
+
+"You cannot," muttered Mrs Gabriel. "You dare not!"
+
+The scorn of her speech carried Leo beyond all bounds of prudence. He
+had not intended to defend himself until he had consulted with Pratt.
+The situation was so unpleasant and dangerous that he wanted an older
+and wiser head than his own to deal with the matter. But Mrs Gabriel's
+taunt made him forget his resolutions. "I dare, and I can!" he burst
+out. "I went to the chapel to meet Sybil. Her father would not let us
+see one another, so we had to do so by stealth. I was going away on
+Monday morning, and she wished for a meeting, as I did myself. In her
+pew she left a note, and she let me know by signs during the service
+that she had done so. I looked in the vicar's pew after the service was
+over, and found that she asked me to meet her at the door of the chapel
+shortly after nine. I was there, and I saw old Barker going away. I
+think he saw me, but as I did not wish to attract attention, I kept out
+of his way as much as possible. Sybil came about half-past nine, perhaps
+later, and we had a talk. Then I took her back to the Vicarage, and
+returned here to sleep. I was on my way to Portfront by seven in the
+morning. That is all I know."
+
+"A likely story," sneered Mrs Gabriel. "I do not believe one word of
+it."
+
+Leo looked at her with great dignity. "If you do not choose to believe
+me I cannot make you," he said; "but from this moment all is at an end
+between us. God knows why you hate me so. I have done nothing to deserve
+it. What I have told you is the truth. Sybil can vouch for it. I have
+some hesitation in asking her to do so, as she will have to say that she
+was alone with me at that late hour, and you know well what the gossips
+will say. Still, if I am in danger of arrest, she will come forward,
+although I would rather suffer myself than that she should be lightly
+spoken of. I shall see her, and her father. For some reason best known
+to you, Mrs Gabriel, Mr Tempest has taken a dislike to me. But he is a
+just man, and I am sure he does not believe me guilty."
+
+"You'd better see him and ask," said Mrs Gabriel, tartly. "I say again
+that I don't believe your explanation. Where did you get the money to
+pay your debts if it was not from selling the cup?"
+
+"I borrowed it," retorted Leo, after a pause. "I did not intend to tell
+you, but it seems I must, in order to clear my character. You would not
+help me, and Pratt was not ready to do so. I daresay if I had pressed
+him he would have helped me, but I did not think it right he should pay
+for my folly. I borrowed the money, if you must know, from Frank Hale."
+
+Mrs Gabriel, who had seated herself, looked at the young man
+indignantly.
+
+"Why will you tell these lies?" she said, trying to speak calmly. "I had
+an idea that Hale might have assisted you, and I went to see him. He
+absolutely denies that he lent you a penny."
+
+Leo looked bewildered. "He denies the debt," said he. "Why he has my
+acknowledgment! He gave me the three hundred pounds in gold on Sunday
+morning. I packed it in a Gladstone bag, and took it to London with me.
+There I paid it into my bank, and gave my creditors cheques for--"
+
+"In gold!" burst out Mrs Gabriel, contemptuously. "Is it likely that in
+these days a man would pay such a large sum otherwise than by cheque?
+Why, if you said notes it would be more reasonable, but gold--bah!"
+
+"I tell you he did," said Leo, now thoroughly angry. "I wondered myself
+at the time, and I mentioned to Sybil how inconvenient it was. I asked
+Hale for notes, for a cheque, he refused both, and said I must take the
+money as he chose to give it, or not at all. He gave it to me in three
+bags, each containing a hundred sovereigns. I paid that into my London
+bank."
+
+"Oh, I daresay you did," sneered Mrs Gabriel. "But you should have got a
+better price for the cup."
+
+"You still believe me guilty," cried Leo, recoiling.
+
+"I do. Hale denies that he paid you the money."
+
+"I shall see him about it to-morrow," said Leo. "He will not dare to
+deny what is the truth. And I leave the castle this very night, Mrs
+Gabriel. I shall never call you 'mother' again. You are cruel and
+wicked. Tell me why you hate me so."
+
+Mrs Gabriel's eyes flashed. "If I told you that--" she began, then
+closed her mouth and turned away.
+
+"Then you _do_ hate me?"
+
+"Yes. With all my soul!" She turned on him like a fury. "I have hated
+you from the moment you came into my house. All these years I have been
+on the point of turning you out. Go now, and never darken my doors
+again. I was a fool to have anything to do with you. Go! Go!"
+
+For a moment Leo stood bewildered at her furious speech. He thought she
+was mad, for he could not conceive why she should speak so. It was
+useless to talk or to remonstrate, or to seek an explanation. He looked
+at her for a moment, then, without a word, he walked away. In another
+quarter of an hour he had left the castle, bag and baggage.
+
+"Thank God!" cried Mrs Gabriel when alone. "I am rid of him at last!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A BAD REPUTATION
+
+
+Pratt sat alone in his library. He was not reading, for although he
+had many books he rarely looked into one of them. He collected rare
+editions, he indulged in gorgeous bindings, and placed all his
+gatherings on shelves behind glass doors. It was the look of the thing
+Pratt liked. If his collection had been so many volumes of blank pages
+he would have been just as well pleased.
+
+As the evening was cold there was a fire in the steel grate. The room
+looked comfortable and luxurious. It was decorated in dark red, with
+bookcases of rosewood, and many busts of celebrated men. On the desk
+stood a reading lamp, and this was the only light in the room. Before
+the desk sat Pratt. He was playing with a small pile of precious stones
+which he had shaken out of a leathern belt. The jewels gleamed in the
+light with rainbow hues, and Pratt fingered them with loving care,
+recalling where each one had been bought and found. He was crazy about
+his gems, but never showed them to anyone. Moreover, in addition to his
+liking for such things, it was a portable way of carrying about his
+wealth.
+
+The door opened softly and a servant entered. Pratt did not turn his
+head, for he knew the footstep. But when he heard that Leo wished to
+see him, he poured the jewels back into the belt, flung it into a drawer
+and told Adam--that was the man's name--to admit Mr Haverleigh. Adam was
+a tall, soldierly looking man, of the fair Saxon type. He had been with
+Mr Pratt for years, knew all his secrets and was absolutely devoted to
+him. As well he might be, for Pratt had once saved his life. Adam never
+forgot the obligation, and was Pratt's devoted slave.
+
+"Hullo, Leo!" said Pratt, rising, when the young man entered the room.
+"Where did you come from?"
+
+"From London, if you want to be precise," said Leo, after shaking hands.
+"My bag is in the hall, Pratt."
+
+"What? Have you not been to the castle?"
+
+"I have been there, and I have come away. In fact, Pratt, she has turned
+me out at last. I always knew that it would come to this."
+
+As Leo sat down Pratt frowned, and when he frowned he did not look
+pleased. "Ah!" said he, calmly, "so she has turned you out--on account
+of this theft, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes. It is the first I ever heard of it!" said Leo, looking up. "Your
+wire said nothing about such an accusation. I don't suppose you could
+very well have mentioned it in a telegram. However, Mrs Gabriel insisted
+that I had stolen the cup and sold it in London in order to pay my
+debts. We had a few words on the subject and parted. I am now here to
+ask you for a bed!"
+
+"My dear fellow, you shall stay here as long as you please. Let me ring
+for Adam to bring you some supper!" and Pratt touched the bell.
+
+"A few sandwiches and a glass of port will be sufficient," said Leo. "I
+am not in the humour to eat. By the way," as Adam entered, "I see he has
+got back?"
+
+"Who? Adam? Yes. Where did you meet him?"
+
+"At Portfront," said Leo, with a nod to Adam, who smiled. "He told me he
+had been up to London on your business. I gave him a lift part of the
+way. Didn't I, Adam?"
+
+"I shouldn't have got home otherwise, sir," said Adam, respectfully, and
+departed to get food for his benefactor. Pratt seemed pleased that his
+servant was so friendly with Leo. He had a great opinion of Adam's
+intelligence. Also, Adam was a power in the house--but Leo did not know
+that. Later on, he learned all about it, to his great astonishment.
+
+"Come now," said Pratt, when Leo had eaten and had finished a glass or
+two of port. "Tell me about this cup. _Did_ you take it?"
+
+"I certainly did not!" said Leo, stiffly. "I wonder at your asking me
+such a question, Pratt! I am not a thief!"
+
+His host laughed somewhat nervously. "I only wanted to be sure, my dear
+lad," he said. "Don't get angry with your best and only friend."
+
+"I have another friend," said Leo, looking up from the cigar he was
+cutting, "and that is Sybil. She does not believe that I am guilty."
+
+"Have you seen her, then?"
+
+"No. But I do not want to see her in order to know that. She loves me,
+Mr Pratt, and would never believe me guilty. No; not though the evidence
+was twice as strong against me!"
+
+"The evidence _is_ strong," said Pratt, rubbing his chin. "You were seen
+at the chapel, and--"
+
+"And I have paid my debts," finished Leo. "So I have, and I can explain
+how I paid them; also my movements on that night." And he forthwith
+related to Pratt the story he had already told Mrs Gabriel. The man
+believed him much more readily than the woman. But then Pratt liked Leo,
+and Mrs Gabriel--as she had shown plainly--hated him with all the
+intensity of her stern and cruel nature.
+
+"You say that Hale lent you the money?" asked Pratt.
+
+"As I told you--in gold."
+
+"And he now denies that he did so?"
+
+"So Mrs Gabriel says. But I shall see for myself to-morrow."
+
+Pratt reflected, staring into the fire. "It seems to be a conspiracy,"
+he said slowly. "I wonder what his game is?"
+
+Leo remembered that Sybil had also been uncomfortable when she heard
+that Hale intended to lend him the money. A thought flashed into his
+mind as Pratt spoke. "I believe that Hale is in love with Sibyl," said
+he.
+
+"Humph! And his sister Edith is in love with you."
+
+Leo coloured a little at this very direct remark. "I believe she is,"
+said he, with an embarrassed laugh; "but I assure you, Pratt, the
+feeling is not reciprocal. The only woman I have ever loved, whom I
+shall ever love, is Sybil Tempest. And the course of our true love does
+not run smooth," he finished, with a sigh.
+
+"A conspiracy," repeated Pratt, who was not paying much attention to
+what Leo was saying. "Yes! I believe it to be one. By lending you that
+money Hale hoped to get you into his power, so as to induce you to give
+up Sibyl to him and marry Edith."
+
+"If he ever did have so ridiculous an idea," said Leo, angrily, "he has
+thrown away the fruits of it by denying the loan."
+
+"No! The unforseen has happened and he is simply making use of the new
+development," said Pratt. "You are accused of having sold this cup to
+pay your debts. If Hale acknowledged that he gave you the money he would
+take away the motive and would in a measure prove your innocence. That
+is exactly what he will not do. Unless--" he hesitated.
+
+"Unless I give up Sybil and marry his sister?"
+
+"Precisely," replied Pratt. "However, this is only a theory. You had
+better wait until you see Hale before you make up your mind. I don't
+mind making you a bet, Leo, that what Mrs Gabriel says is true."
+
+"Do you think Hale will deny the loan?"
+
+"I am certain of it. I have studied human nature a great deal during a
+not uneventful life, and if ever I saw a crafty scoundrel Hale is the
+man. I wish you had told me that he was the friend who was to lend you
+the money. I would rather have found it for you myself than have let you
+go to him."
+
+"I wish I had spoken out. But it's too late now. And how did I know the
+man would be such a scoundrel? Not that we yet can be certain that he
+is, Pratt. Only the worst of it is," added Leo, wrinkling his young
+brows, "that I cannot now repay the money."
+
+"If he denies the debt you will not need to repay it."
+
+"I shall insist upon doing so when I am able!" cried Leo, vehemently.
+"But Mrs Gabriel won't help me."
+
+"I will let you have the three hundred pounds," said Pratt.
+
+"I don't see why you should, Pratt. As it is, you are too kind to me.
+No! I will borrow no more. This interview with Mrs Gabriel has fixed my
+mind as to enlisting. I shall see if I can't arrange about the money for
+Hale. I have some jewellery and other things I can sell. In some way or
+another I'll contrive to get out of his debt."
+
+"He won't admit that you are in his debt," persisted Pratt; "but it is
+no use talking all night about these things, Leo. You have a friend in
+me, and as I know you are innocent I'll get you out of this trouble
+somehow. To-morrow you can see Hale and Miss Sybil."
+
+"I'll see him first," said Leo, grimly, after which speech--ominous of
+evil--he retired to bed. Worn out with his long journey and by the
+anxiety attendant on his new position--which was that of an absolute
+pauper--he soon fell into a dreamless sleep. Pratt remained in the
+library and for a long time sat watching the dying fire. He also saw
+trouble ahead, but it had to do more with himself than with his guest.
+
+Since the illness of Pearl, Sybil had attended to the decorating of the
+altar. Sometimes she had the assistance of Peggy Bathurst. But Mrs
+Bathurst, still fearful lest Peggy might become engaged to the curate,
+would not let her come as often to the chapel as Sybil wished. So Miss
+Tempest usually decked the altar alone. The morning after Leo's arrival
+she was in the chapel at mid-day with her arms full of flowers. Taking
+these and the altar vessels into a quiet corner she began to arrange the
+blossoms. While thus engaged she heard a step. At once she sprang to her
+feet with the love-light in her eye. She had no need to see the
+newcomer. Her heart told her it was Leo.
+
+"My dear!" She took him into her arms. "How glad I am to see you again!
+Oh, Leo, I have so many sad things to tell you."
+
+"I know all, my love," said the young man, kissing her. "I arrived last
+night and saw Mrs Gabriel. _She_ did not spare me."
+
+"Your mother?"
+
+"She is no more mother of mine, Sybil. She told me she hated me; called
+me a thief, and turned me out of the castle. I shall never enter it
+again--never! Last night I slept at Pratt's. He was a good Samaritan
+and took me in. This morning I went to see Hale."
+
+Sybil clapped her hands. "Oh, then it is all right!" she cried joyfully.
+"I could have told my father that you had got the money from him, but I
+thought it better you should do so yourself."
+
+"I can't do that without Hale calling me a liar."
+
+"Leo! What do you mean?"
+
+"That in the eyes of the people here I am both a liar and a thief. Hale,
+whom I saw this morning, denies having given me the money."
+
+"Has he spread that all about the town?" asked Sybil, scarcely able to
+believe her ears.
+
+"No, he is too clever for that. Now I know, Sybil, why he gave me the
+money in gold. So that he might be able to deny the debt if occasion
+arose, as it has done. Had he given me a cheque his signature would have
+given him the lie."
+
+"But what does he mean by denying that he lent you the money?"
+
+"Well, I'll give you Pratt's theory. I believe it is the true one," and
+the young man rapidly repeated the conversation he had had with the
+American on the previous evening. "So you see you were right, Sybil."
+
+"I knew it," said Sybil in low tones. "Do you remember how I told you on
+the day of Mrs Bathurst's picnic? What is to be done now?"
+
+"There is nothing to be done save to fight," said Leo, fiercely, "and
+fight I shall. I had intended to enlist, but I shall not do that until I
+have cleared my name. To leave here now would be to give colour to the
+lies that are being told about me. I shall stay with Pratt. He is my
+friend, and you, Sybil, also. We three will fight it out."
+
+"Mr Raston is also your friend, Leo. He says he does not believe for one
+moment that you did what you are accused of doing."
+
+"Thank God for that! How can anyone who knows me believe me guilty of so
+terrible a crime? To rob a church! Think of it, Sybil. Your father? Does
+he believe I did this vile thing?"
+
+"He suspends his judgment, Leo, until he has heard your defence."
+
+"Alas, Sybil, what defence can I make save state that I am innocent? I
+cannot make Hale confess that he lent me the money, and I cannot prove,
+independently of him, that he did so. This morning he coolly denied all
+knowledge of the loan, but said that for my sake he would not speak of
+the visit I had made or the threats I had used."
+
+"Did you use threats, Leo?"
+
+"I am afraid I did, dear. But is it not enough to make an honest man's
+blood boil to be placed in such a position? I threatened to give him a
+thrashing. But when I remembered that he was a cripple, of course I
+could not do that. But for all his physical weakness, he is a venomous
+beast. No, Sybil, without Hale I can do nothing." He paused for a
+moment, and then went on. "I think the best way to do is to wait," he
+said. "If this is a plot on Hale's part he will continue to carry it
+out--that is, he will make some proposition to me about giving you up.
+I don't suppose he will want me to marry his sister, now that I am
+called a thief."
+
+Sybil placed her hand over his mouth. "You must not be so bitter, Leo. I
+will not have you revile yourself in this way. Don't you think you had
+better see my father?"
+
+"What good would that do, my dear? I can only tell the story I tell you,
+and as I have no evidence to prove its truth, he probably will not
+believe me. No, Sybil. It is best for me to remain quietly with Pratt,
+and wait until Hale makes some move. Besides, Pratt is a clever man of
+the world, and can guide me. No doubt everyone will be disagreeable, but
+I must put up with that. I refuse to go away, as though the charge
+against me were true. You will see me sometimes, Sybil?"
+
+"Whenever I can," she replied; "but it will not be easy. When my father
+hears that you are back he will be more particular than ever to keep me
+from meeting you."
+
+Leo mused. "I wonder why he has changed so, Sybil? He used to like me."
+
+"I think Mrs Gabriel said something which has turned him against you."
+
+"Very probably," replied Leo, bitterly; "for some reason she hates me.
+But all is at an end between us. I wait here, Sybil, to vindicate my
+character, and afterwards I shall carry out my plan of enlisting. I may
+be years away from you, but you will be true, I know."
+
+"I swear to be true, Leo! I marry no one but you."
+
+"Not even Hale," whispered Leo, straining her to his breast.
+
+Sybil laughed. "If I disliked him before, think how I hate him now!" she
+said. "He is acting a mean part. But his punishment will come. Now go,
+Leo, for my father may come at any moment."
+
+The two lovers embraced and parted. Leo went away much comforted by the
+belief Sybil had in his innocence. He returned to The Nun's House, and
+spent the day with Pratt talking over the position of affairs. It was a
+disagreeable position, and at the present moment he could see no way of
+mending it. Hale alone could prove his innocence, and Hale refused to
+speak out. Bitterly did Leo regret that he had ever been tempted to
+believe in this fox.
+
+The days went by, and the position remained much the same as it was. By
+this time the excitement consequent on the loss of the cup had died out.
+Leo remained mostly within doors, as he did not care about meeting the
+cold looks of those he had known from childhood. Mrs Gabriel gave no
+sign, but secluded herself within her own grounds. Once or twice Pratt
+saw her on Leo's behalf, but he could do nothing with her. However, he
+told Leo to keep up his spirits, that all would come right. But how this
+alteration was to be brought about he did not say. Pratt knew when to
+keep his own counsel.
+
+Towards the end of the week Mrs Jeal returned. Her father was much
+better, she said, and she had come back to look after Pearl. The mad
+girl was now out of bed, but, as yet, unable to leave the cottage.
+Someone had conveyed to her the news of the loss--Raston shrewdly
+suspected Joan Barker--but, strange to say, she was not so upset about
+it as had been expected.
+
+"The Master has taken His cup to use in heaven," she told the curate,
+who often came to sit with her. "When he thinks fit he will bring it
+back again to the altar."
+
+Raston was puzzled by this queer view, but as it prevented the girl from
+fretting he outwardly agreed with her. Having settled the matter thus,
+Pearl rarely referred to the loss. She was quite content to wait until
+the cup was restored. Taking a hint from Raston, Mrs Jeal never
+discussed the matter. All the same she knew more about the missing cup
+than the Colester people knew. And it was in this way she explained the
+matter to Harold Raston.
+
+"Sir," she said one day shortly after her return, "I want you to get me
+speech with his reverence. I wish to make a statement to him."
+
+"Indeed, Mrs Jeal! What is the statement?"
+
+"It is about the cup, sir. But I prefer to speak to the vicar and to Mr
+Haverleigh. I hear he is staying with Mr Pratt."
+
+"I believe he is. Some foolish people accuse him of having stolen the
+cup, Mrs Jeal. I hope you will be able to give us some information
+likely to lead to its discovery, so that Mr Haverleigh's character can
+be cleared."
+
+Mrs Jeal screwed up her mouth, and sent out a flash from her wicked
+eyes. She absolutely refused to speak save in the presence of Mr
+Tempest and Leo. Therefore, after a consultation with the vicar, Raston
+went to see Leo, and asked him to come to the Vicarage. Leo was
+surprised at the summons, and not very willing to obey it. He resented
+the way in which he had been treated by Mr Tempest. Still, from what was
+hinted by Mrs Jeal, he fancied that she might be able to clear his
+character, so he accompanied Raston to the place of meeting.
+
+Mrs Jeal was already in the study, seated beside the vicar's desk. She
+was dressed in her best, and looked demure as any cat. Tempest reddened
+when he saw Leo, and held out his hand. Leo refused to take it. "No,
+sir," he said coldly; "you have not treated me well. I thought you were
+my friend, but I find you believe me to be a thief."
+
+"Pardon me," replied Tempest, suddenly growing hard, "I do not say that
+you took the cup. I refuse to believe anything against you until I hear
+what you have to say in your own defence."
+
+"I make no defence, Mr Tempest," rejoined Leo. "Sybil believes me
+guiltless; so does Pratt; Raston also is my friend. I can only wait
+until I am vindicated by time. Or perhaps Mrs Jeal will prove to you
+that I did not steal the cup," and Leo looked at the crafty face of the
+woman.
+
+Mrs Jeal at a nod from the vicar, rose and folded her hands. "I can
+prove that you did steal it, Mr Haverleigh," she said. "I saw you pawn
+the cup in London."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE PRICE OF SILENCE
+
+
+For a few moments there was a dead silence. Tempest looked gravely
+shocked. Mrs Jeal triumphant, and the curate much disturbed. He had been
+so certain of Leo's innocence that this precise evidence took his breath
+away. Leo was thunderstruck, and passed his hand across his eyes to make
+sure that he was not dreaming.
+
+"You saw me pawn what I never had in my possession!" he said quietly.
+
+Mrs Jeal shrugged her plump shoulders. "I can say no more than I know,"
+she said. "Of course, I quite expected you would deny my story."
+
+"I have not heard it yet," replied the accused man, slowly; "and I shall
+be glad to hear it. At the present moment, I declare most solemnly that
+I never took the cup. I did not even know it was stolen until I returned
+from London."
+
+"Where you had pawned it," finished Mrs Jeal.
+
+The vicar interposed. He was struck by Leo's calmness, which was not
+that of a guilty person. "I think you had better tell your story, Mrs
+Jeal," he said; "then we can hear Mr Haverleigh."
+
+"I thank you for giving me a fair trial, Mr Tempest," said Leo,
+quietly, and sat down with his eyes on the face of the woman.
+
+Mrs Jeal cleared her throat, and in a slow voice began to speak. She
+rather enjoyed her position, and made the most of it. "But before
+speaking of what I know, sir," she said, looking at the vicar, "might I
+ask if it is true that you have offered a reward for the recovery of the
+cup?"
+
+"I have not done so myself," said Tempest, gravely; "but Mr Pratt, who
+presented the cup to me, has offered the sum of fifty pounds to
+whomsoever will give information likely to lead to its recovery. If you
+know of anything, Mrs Jeal--"
+
+"I'll get the reward," said the woman, a greedy light in her small eyes.
+"Yes, sir, I do know of something. I went up to Battersea, in London, to
+see my father, who is ill. He is a retired gardener, your reverence, and
+has invested his savings in a seed shop. My mother is still alive, and
+she looks after him. They do fairly well out of the shop, and, of
+course, your reverence, I give them some assistance, as becomes an only
+child."
+
+"This is not to the point, Mrs Jeal!"
+
+"I am coming to the point shortly," said the woman, with a look at Leo,
+who made no remark; "but it is necessary that your reverence should
+understand how it was that I came to see Mr Haverleigh taking the cup to
+Old Penny's pawnshop."
+
+Leo could bear it no longer, and started to his feet. "It is absolutely
+false!" he exclaimed passionately. "I did _not_ pawn the cup. I never
+had it in my possession. I was never in Battersea in my life, and I do
+not know the name of Penny."
+
+"Better wait and hear the story, Leo," said Tempest in a more friendly
+tone. He was beginning to be impressed by the bearing of the young man.
+Even in the face of Mrs Jeal's evidence, he thought Leo might be
+innocent. After all, the evidence was circumstantial, and that is not
+always to be relied upon. "You shall have every justice," he said,
+patting Leo's shoulder.
+
+"I know what I know," said Mrs Jeal when Leo sat down again. "One
+evening last week I was out late. I had been to get some medicine for my
+dear father. In Barry Street there is a pawnshop kept by an old man
+called Penny. I have known it most of my life. As I passed I saw Mr
+Haverleigh ahead of me. He did not stop immediately at the shop."
+
+"You saw _me_!" cried Leo, bewildered. "How was I dressed?"
+
+"In a blue serge suit, with a hard, fawn-coloured hat," said Mrs Jeal,
+glibly. "Over your arm you carried a coat, and under it you had a
+parcel. It was the cup."
+
+"You are telling a pack of lies!" said Leo, angrily. "How did you know
+the cup was in the parcel?"
+
+"Wait and you shall hear," said Mrs Jeal, tartly. "I do not care about
+being hurried. You passed the shop; I recognised you at once and
+wondered what you were doing in so poor a quarter of the town. Of course
+I knew that the cup had been stolen, but I never thought that you had
+it under your arm. You had a silk muffler round your throat although the
+evening was warm, and apparently you wished to escape observation. I was
+determined to find out what you were doing so, I followed you. You went
+round the block until it grew darker. Then you returned to the shop, and
+entered. I waited on the other side of the road. In half-an-hour you
+came out again. You had the great-coat on and your hands in your pocket.
+After looking up and down the street to see if anyone was observing you
+I saw you walk rapidly to the end. I did not follow as I was anxious to
+see why you had been to the pawnshop."
+
+"Why all this anxiety, Mrs Jeal?" asked Tempest, annoyed.
+
+"Well, sir! of course I know that Mrs Gabriel does not approve of Mr
+Haverleigh's behaviour--"
+
+"That has nothing to do with the matter," interposed Mr Tempest,
+sternly, and Leo gave him a grateful look. "All you have to do is to
+state facts."
+
+Mrs Jeal dropped an ironical curtsey. "Very good, sir," said she; "but I
+must say that I thought Mrs Gabriel had cut off Mr Haverleigh's
+allowance and that he was pawning some jewellery to keep himself in
+bread."
+
+"I never pawned anything in my life," said Leo, disgusted at the plain
+spite of the woman. "Go on, Mrs Jeal. You saw this man Penny, no doubt?"
+
+"I did that!" cried the woman, triumphantly. "I have known him for many
+years. I went into the shop and into his back parlour. On the table I
+saw the cup. Yes, gentlemen, you no doubt are surprised. But it was the
+very cup I had so often seen on the altar of the chapel."
+
+"It is wholly false!" cried Leo, rising. "I never pawned the cup.
+Someone must have impersonated me."
+
+"It was yourself, Mr Haverleigh," insisted the woman. "I had a talk with
+Old Penny, but of course I said nothing about having seen the cup
+before. I did not mention that I knew you. Penny told me that he had
+given you four hundred for the cup. It was worth much more he said, and
+he was chuckling over the bargain he had made. I left the cup in his
+possession and returned home. Several times I went to the shop to hear
+if you had redeemed the cup. But it was still with Penny. I then had to
+attend to my father and gave the matter little thought. But when I
+returned and heard how you, Mr Haverleigh, had stolen the cup, it became
+my duty to let his reverence know what you had done with it. And I
+hear," added Mrs Jeal, with a malignant smile, "that your debts have
+been paid."
+
+"Who told you so?" asked Raston, who hitherto had been silent.
+
+"Mrs Gabriel. I went to tell her what Mr Haverleigh had done. She said
+that she expected as much, as she had refused to give him the money to
+pay his debts. So that is all I know. I am prepared to take my oath in a
+court of law that this is true."
+
+There was a pause. Then Tempest observed quietly, "If that is all you
+have to tell, Mrs Jeal, you can go. I will speak to Mr Haverleigh."
+
+"But will I not--"
+
+"You will do nothing," interrupted the vicar. "Go away and hold your
+tongue, lest you get into trouble."
+
+"You're going to let him off, I see," said Mrs Jeal, with a toss of her
+grey head. "Well, I have done my share. Good-day, gentlemen," and she
+sailed out of the room quite satisfied that she had ruined Leo.
+
+When the three were alone Tempest addressed Leo, who sat silently beside
+the table. "Leo," he said sadly, "I do not want you to get into trouble.
+If you will confess to me that you did what Mrs Jeal says I will see
+about getting the cup back and say nothing more about the matter. I will
+give you money to leave the town."
+
+"I tell you I am innocent!" cried Leo passionately. "Why do you want me
+to confess a crime of which I am not guilty? I shall not leave Colester.
+Here I stay until my innocence is acknowledged."
+
+"But the evidence against you," urged the vicar, sorely perplexed. "You
+were seen about the chapel on the night the cup was stolen. Your debts
+are paid, yet Mrs Gabriel did not give you the money, and you have none
+of your own. And now Mrs Jeal says she saw you pawn the sacred vessel."
+
+"I admit that the evidence is strong," said Leo, recovering his
+calmness. "All the same I am guiltless. I was at the chapel on that
+night. I was to meet Sybil since you had forbidden me to meet her."
+
+"Please leave my daughter's name out of this," said Tempest, an angry
+spot on each cheek. He was annoyed at the mention of the meeting, but in
+the presence of Raston he controlled himself out of pride.
+
+"I can't leave Sybil's name out of it," said Leo, sadly. "I would if I
+could; but she is as anxious as I am that I should recover my good name.
+I did meet Sybil, and she will tell you that I left her at the door of
+the Vicarage before ten o'clock. I therefore could not have stolen the
+cup. I got the money to pay my debts from Frank Hale."
+
+"From Hale? Then he will say as much!" cried the vicar. "This will go
+far to prove your innocence, Leo."
+
+"I don't think Hale will help me much," said Leo, coldly. "However, we
+can talk of that later, or you can see Hale for yourself, Mr Tempest.
+But I declare most solemnly that Hale lent me the money. As to pawning
+the cup, I said before, and I say again, that I did no such thing. I did
+not take the cup. I was never in Battersea, and I do not know the man
+Mrs Jeal calls Old Penny. If you want to have me arrested, Mr Tempest,
+you will find me at Mr Pratt's. Far from wishing to run away, I court an
+investigation."
+
+"Leo," stammered the vicar, restlessly, "I do not want to get you into
+any trouble. If I can help--"
+
+"I am in the deepest trouble," returned Leo, "and more will not matter.
+You can have me arrested if you like. I know that Sybil believes me to
+be innocent, so does Pratt. I do not care for anyone else's opinion. I
+think you are treating me cruelly, Mr Tempest, and some day you will be
+sorry that you showed so little charity. I go now, and I shall not see
+you again until such time as you give evidence against me in court," and
+with this last bitter speech Leo walked out of the room with his head in
+the air.
+
+The two clergymen looked at one another. They did not know very well
+what to say. Tempest sat down with a sigh. "I do not know what to
+think."
+
+"I do," said Raston, sharply. "Notwithstanding the woman's story, I
+still believe that Haverleigh is guiltless. Circumstances have so
+culminated that he appears to be in the wrong. There is a mystery about
+the whole of this affair, and it seems to me that Haverleigh has some
+enemy."
+
+"That may be so," admitted Tempest, struck by this remark. "But what is
+to be done? I can't have Leo arrested. Even if he were guilty, which I
+am now inclined to doubt, I cannot ruin his life."
+
+"What we need," replied the curate, "is some clever man who will get to
+the bottom of this. If you can spare me for a few days, Mr Tempest, I
+will go to London and see Marton?"
+
+"Marton?" repeated the vicar. "Who is Marton?"
+
+Raston laughed. "Such is fame," said he, lightly. "Marton is one of the
+best detectives in England. He was leaving college when I went up, and
+we met for a few weeks. When I was curate in the Battersea slums I met
+him again, as he has a wide acquaintance with the criminal classes. We
+renewed our college friendship, and I still write to him. Now, with
+your permission, Mr Tempest, I will put this case into Marton's hands.
+It is just the kind of mystery he would love to solve."
+
+"The man is a gentleman, I suppose, Raston?"
+
+"Certainly. He is my friend. I know the pawnshop of Old Penny. He is a
+Scotsman, if you can grasp the idea of a Scotsman keeping a pawnshop.
+I'll tell Marton the whole case, and we can then go to this shop. If
+possible, we may get back the cup."
+
+"Who is to pay four hundred pounds for it?" asked Tempest.
+
+"We'll see," replied Raston, quietly. "I shall do nothing without
+Marton's advice. Have I your permission?"
+
+Tempest nodded. "I think it is the best thing you can do. Go to London
+and keep me advised of everything. I should like to know Mr Marton's
+opinion of the matter."
+
+"It is probable he'll come down here later on," said the curate; "but in
+the meantime, Mr Tempest, do nothing to Haverleigh."
+
+"I promise you that," replied the vicar, and the matter being settled in
+this way, the two men shook hands. Afterwards Raston went to prepare for
+his departure.
+
+While this was taking place, Leo was talking in the chapel with Hale.
+Haverleigh had gone up to see if Sybil was about, as he wished to tell
+her of this new development of the conspiracy against him. Leo felt sure
+by this time that there was a conspiracy, and that Hale was concerned
+in it. He was therefore rather pleased when he saw the cripple walking
+up the hill before him. Leo made up his mind to force the truth out of
+him, and hurried on so as to catch him. Hale heard his steps, and turned
+with a queer smile on his face. He was not at all abashed by the
+presence of the man to whom he had told a lie, but, on the contrary,
+welcomed him in the most friendly manner. Haverleigh was irritated by
+this false behaviour. "Either you think me innocent, and wish to be my
+friend," he said, "or you believe that I am guilty and have some reason
+to be feigning good fellowship. I must have some understanding with you,
+Hale. Come into the chapel. We will not be disturbed there as it is
+mid-day and everyone is at dinner," and Leo, without waiting for a
+reply, entered the door.
+
+The chapel was empty; even Sybil was not in sight. Hearing the halting
+steps of the cripple behind him, Leo led the way into the crusaders'
+chapel, where he sat down beside one of the tombs. Hale paused before
+him and looked down in a whimsical manner. "You have chosen a strange
+place," he said, looking round.
+
+"It is a sacred place," replied Leo, coolly; "and you may be the less
+inclined to tell lies. I presume you have some religion."
+
+"How dare you say I tell lies?" cried the baronet, scowling.
+
+"Because I have had some experience of your capability in that
+direction. And now I should like to know what you mean by denying that
+you lent me the three hundred pounds?"
+
+Hale shrugged his unshapely shoulders and sat down with a painful
+effort, placing his crutch beside him. "You were fool enough to speak to
+me in the presence of my sister," he said. "I could only say what I did
+say. Now that we are alone I am willing to answer any questions you may
+put to me."
+
+"You will answer truthfully, I hope?"
+
+"Assuredly. It is time we understood one another. Go on."
+
+"You lent me three hundred pounds?" said Leo, in the form of a query.
+
+"In gold," assented Sir Frank, coolly.
+
+"Why did you lend it to me in gold?"
+
+"A whim of mine."
+
+"I don't think so," said Leo, slowly. "You had some scheme in your head.
+I believe you wanted to deny the loan if you found it convenient."
+
+"You are very clever, Haverleigh. That is just what I did want. Had I
+given you a cheque you could have proved the loan. Even notes might have
+shown the truth. But I wanted to be free to act as I pleased, so I went
+to the trouble of getting gold from the bank."
+
+"Then it seems to me that you had this cup stolen by some confederate,
+and intended to lay the blame on me so as to get me into a trap!"
+
+"Indeed, no," protested Hale, so loudly that Leo believed he was
+speaking the truth. "The stealing of the cup, and the subsequent blame
+being thrown on you, was unexpected. But I took advantage of the
+opportunity. You can prove your innocence only by my help, Haverleigh,
+and I give my evidence only on conditions."
+
+"I was prepared for such a speech," said Leo, calmly; "but it won't do,
+my friend. You must go to Tempest and tell him that you gave me three
+hundred pounds to pay my debts. Perhaps then he may disbelieve this
+ridiculous story of my being a thief."
+
+Hale sat up alertly. "Then you didn't steal the cup?"
+
+"Certainly not. How dare you suggest such a thing? I suspect you know
+more about the loss of the cup than I do."
+
+The baronet looked down on his crooked leg and smiled ironically. "Do
+you mean to infer that I thrust this misshapen body through that
+window?"
+
+"No! But you have plenty of money to pay for any rascality."
+
+"I am not so fond of parting with money," said Hale, dryly. "I know
+nothing about the cup. But I really thought you stole it. Mrs Jeal's
+tale--"
+
+"Ha!" Leo started up. "She told you that? Why?"
+
+"Because she is a woman who is fond of money," said Hale, quietly.
+"Knowing that my sister is in love with you, Haverleigh, she came to
+threaten me. She declared that she would proclaim you a thief if I did
+not pay her. It was her belief that such a course would break my
+sister's heart."
+
+"And what did you do?"
+
+"I told her I would inform the police if she dared to speak to me in
+that manner again. I believe she then went to the vicar. But if I come
+forward, Haverleigh, and state that I lent you the money, it will go a
+long way towards clearing you. Of course, I do not understand this
+pawning business. The woman says she saw you."
+
+"She saw my double, or someone dressed up to resemble me," said Leo,
+vehemently; "but she did not see me. I was never near the shop."
+
+"So you say," said Hale, smiling cruelly. "However, you must see that I
+can help you. I will do so on one condition--no, on two."
+
+"I can guess the two," said Leo, looking at his mean face. "You want me
+to surrender Sybil so that you may marry her, and to make your sister my
+wife? Is that not so?"
+
+Hale smiled again. "You save me the trouble of an explanation," he said.
+
+"Then I absolutely refuse to do what you want, Hale. I respect your
+sister, who is a kind and good-hearted girl; but I do not love her, and
+not for all the gold in the world would I marry her. On the other hand,
+nothing will induce me to give up Sybil. She shall never become your
+wife. I wonder you have the impertinence to propose such a thing to me!"
+
+"If you don't do what I ask," said Hale, very pale and venomous, "I
+shall refuse to help you. I shall deny that I lent you the money."
+
+"Deny what you please!" Leo walked to the door of the chapel.
+"Everything is in your favour, and you can have me arrested if you
+choose. But I decline to sell my love to buy my safety. Good-day, Hale,"
+and he marched away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE LONDON DETECTIVE
+
+
+Sybil had seen Leo go into the room where her father was waiting with
+Mrs Jeal, and wondered what the woman had to do with her lover. She was
+called out to see a sick woman on behalf of her father, and on her way
+home bethought herself how she could see Leo. The girl was in a perfect
+fever of nervous fear for the young man. Then it struck her that the
+best thing to do would be to call at Mr Pratt's. No sooner had she made
+up her mind to brave her father's anger in this respect than she went at
+once to The Nun's House. She feared if she delayed that her courage
+might evaporate.
+
+The door was opened by Adam, who explained that Mr Pratt was from home.
+"He went into Portfront to-day, miss," said Adam. "I only hope he will
+be able to get back this night, as there is a sea-fog coming up the
+Channel."
+
+"There is no danger of his losing the road, Adam," said Sybil,
+cheerfully; "but I don't want to see Mr Pratt. It is Mr Haverleigh
+who--"
+
+"He is in the library, miss," replied Adam, and admitted her into the
+house. When Sybil found herself alone with Leo she had a qualm. What
+would her father say should he ever come to know that she had paid such
+a visit?
+
+Leo was seated at the desk, his face hidden in his arms, looking most
+dejected. He lifted his head as she entered, and, at the sight of his
+face, Sybil forgot all about her father and the impropriety of the
+visit. At once she ran to her lover, and drew his head down on to her
+breast with a look of almost divine pity. "My darling Leo," she said, "I
+knew that you were miserable, and I have come to comfort you."
+
+"How good of you, dear!" replied Haverleigh, stroking her hair; "but
+your father? I did not think he would let you come to me."
+
+"My father does not know that I am here," said Sybil, blushing, as he
+placed a chair for her; "but I knew you had been to see him, and I could
+not rest until I heard all about the interview. Was he very angry?"
+
+"No; I think he is inclined to believe in my innocence in spite of Mrs
+Jeal's story. And Heaven knows she has painted me black enough!"
+
+"I wondered what Mrs Jeal was doing at the Vicarage, Leo; I don't like
+that woman. She looks sly and wicked. But what story can she have to
+tell about you, dear?"
+
+"Sybil, she says that she saw me pawning the cup in London," and while
+Sybil, filled with surprise, sat looking at his agitated face, Leo told
+all that Mrs Jeal had said. "So you see, dear," he continued, "that
+there is some sort of conspiracy against me. I believe Hale is in it
+too."
+
+"It is a strange story," she said musingly. "I wonder who it was could
+have impersonated you? Did the man give your name?"
+
+"By Jove!" cried Leo, starting up, "I never thought of asking. Yet the
+rascal must have given it for the pawn-ticket. Sybil, I can't help
+thinking that Hale knows something about this. He saw me in the chapel
+an hour ago and said that he would make a statement to the effect that
+he had paid me the money if I would give you up and marry his sister."
+
+Sybil's eyes flashed. "How dare he?" she cried. "He wants to drive you
+into a corner, Leo. What did you say?"
+
+"I refused to have anything to do with him, dear. He can join with your
+father in having me arrested for all I care. I would rather that than
+give up my Sybil! But you see the position. What is to be done?"
+
+"Can't you go to London and see this man Penny?"
+
+"No. I dare not leave the place. Your father and the others would think
+that I was seeking safety in flight. I might be arrested before I got as
+far as Portfront. I don't say that your father would go so far but there
+is always the chance. I am sure Mrs Gabriel would not counsel mercy. For
+some unaccountable reason she hates me thoroughly."
+
+"My poor Leo!" Sybil stroked his cheek. "Fate is very cruel to you. But
+never mind. In spite of everything I will be true to you. And what is
+more, Leo, I'll help you to prove your innocence."
+
+"How can you do that, my love?"
+
+She pursed up her pretty mouth, and, crossing her slender feet, looked
+on the ground with an air of portentous gravity. "I don't believe this
+story of Mrs Jeal's," she said; "there is something behind it. As you
+cannot go to London--and I see it would be foolish of you to go away
+from Colester at present--we must do the best we can through the
+newspapers."
+
+Leo looked at her in surprise, and knelt beside her. "What can we do
+with the newspapers, darling?"
+
+"Put an advertisement in every London daily paper saying that the cup
+has been lost, giving a description, and offering a reward if any
+information is given to _me_."
+
+"To _you_, Sybil! What would your father say?"
+
+"He won't know. Besides, Leo, darling, you are more to me even than my
+father, and I am angry at the unjust way in which you are being treated.
+I will write out a number of these advertisements, and send them up with
+post-office orders. The replies to be sent to 'S. T. Colester
+Post-office.'"
+
+"But what good will that do?"
+
+"Oh, you stupid darling! I have to think for two, I see. Why, this
+pawnbroker--what is his name?--Penny. Well, if Penny sees the
+advertisement, he will recognise the cup from the description, and know
+that it has been stolen. He will be afraid of getting into trouble with
+the police, and he no doubt will write saying that the cup was pawned
+with him and that he will be willing to sell it back for the price
+paid. Then we'll get it back, Leo. When I am certain, I'll tell my
+father, and he will arrange about buying it again."
+
+"Yes. But how does all this benefit me?"
+
+"This Penny creature will explain who pawned it, and he will give the
+name of the person Mrs Jeal said resembled you. He might do that if the
+matter were made public by advertisement. If we approach him privately
+he will very likely deny everything. We can't be too careful, Leo."
+
+"But the reward," said Haverleigh, puzzled. "I have no money; you have
+no money. What will you do?"
+
+"When the cup is back, or if information is given likely to recover it,
+I am sure my father can arrange about the money with Mrs Gabriel. Now do
+not say a word, Leo. She has nothing to do with you now. And, after
+all," added Sybil, naively, "I don't see why any money need pass. This
+is a trap I am laying for that pawnbroker. That is if Mrs Jeal's story
+is true, which I am inclined to doubt. I'll put the advertisement in on
+chance, Leo, and see what comes of it."
+
+"But it is such a mad idea," remonstrated the young man, who could not
+follow all these feminine arguments. "Let me tell Pratt about your
+suggestion. He will be able to advise us."
+
+Sybil rose to her feet and shook her head obstinately. "If you say a
+word to Mr Pratt I'll never forgive you. Let me try this experiment all
+alone, Leo, dear. It can do no harm, and it might do a lot of good. We
+must not tell anyone about it."
+
+"Sybil, I kept the fact of my borrowing that money from Hale a secret,
+and I have regretted it ever since. Let us ask Pratt's advice."
+
+"No, Leo." Sybil was still obstinate. "I want to try this myself. If it
+fails it can do no harm, and if it succeeds I shall have the joy of
+knowing that it was I who got you out of this trouble. Now promise not
+to tell!"
+
+At first Leo refused. He did not want Sybil to mix herself up in this
+disagreeable case even for his sake. But she used such endearments, and
+kept to her point with such pertinacity, that he gave in. It was useless
+to contend against Sybil when she set her heart on getting anything. She
+never would give in, however discouraged. Therefore, before she left the
+library, she had drawn out an advertisement with the assistance of Leo,
+in which the appearance of the cup and its Latin inscription were
+carefully set down. A reward of fifty pounds was offered, and the
+answers were to be sent to S. T., at the Colester Post-office.
+
+"There!" said Sybil, when this document was completed, "I have set my
+trap. Now we shall see who will fall into it. I'll make a dozen copies
+at once, and have them sent off by to-morrow. Not a word, Leo, about
+this."
+
+"I will be silent, as I have promised. All the same, I do not feel
+comfortable about your experiment. To tell you the truth, Sybil, I can't
+see the sense of it. Now, don't look angry, dear. I know it is all done
+out of love for me."
+
+"I am not sure that you deserve my love," pouted Sybil as he escorted
+her to the door. "You place all kinds of obstacles in my way!"
+
+She was rather angry, for her heart was fully taken up with the
+magnificence of her scheme. However, Leo managed to calm her, and gain
+her forgiveness. He was quite unaware of what he had done wrong. But
+Sybil said that he had behaved disgracefully, so he apologised. Then she
+said that she was a wicked girl, and after kissing him ran away. All
+this was very foolish, but very sweet. Leo often recalled that interview
+to her in after days, and they both agreed that they behaved like two
+most sensible people. But at present Leo was too sad to enjoy the stolen
+meeting as a true and loyal lover should have done.
+
+That same night the sea-fog rolled up thick and white. Mr Pratt did not
+return home, at which non-arrival Adam was not surprised. Mr Pratt was
+too fond of his creature comforts to drive twenty miles through a damp
+and clinging mist. Leo had the whole house to himself, and Adam, who
+thought a good deal of him, did his best to make him comfortable. He
+consulted with the cook and gave Leo a capital little dinner, together
+with a bottle of superfine Burgundy. Then he supplied him with cigars of
+the best and coffee of the finest, and left him comfortably seated
+before the drawing-room fire. Under these circumstances Leo felt happier
+than he had expected, seeing at what a low ebb his fortunes were.
+
+The position of the unfortunate young man was undeniably hard. Here he
+was, deserted by his aunt, Mrs Gabriel. She had taken him up, brought
+him up to expect a large fortune, and then, for no cause at all, had
+suddenly cast him out on the world to earn his own living as best he
+could. And in addition to this, although it was hardship enough, poor
+Leo's character was gone. He was accused of a sordid crime, and might
+have to answer for it to the law. He did not see what defence he could
+make. Certainly, if he acceded to Hale's terms, he could vindicate his
+position in some measure by accounting for the sum of money he had used
+to pay his debts. But in this case Sybil would be lost to him. And what
+would life be without Sybil? Altogether, Leo was in low spirits, in
+spite of the fire and the Burgundy, and the memory of that charming
+interview. But it was no use lamenting, as he very truly observed to
+himself, so he tried to shake off the feeling of depression and went to
+bed. He was young, the world was large, and he hoped in some way or
+another to sail out of these troubled waters into a peaceful haven. Hope
+was the silver lining to his cloud of black despair.
+
+Meanwhile, Raston had written to his friend Marton a full account of the
+loss of the cup, of the accusation by Mrs Jeal of Leo, and of the
+suspicions entertained by the villagers concerning the probity of the
+young man. For some days he heard nothing. Then one evening Marton
+himself arrived unexpectedly at Colester. He went at once to the
+curate's lodgings and was received with great surprise.
+
+"My dear Marton, this is an unexpected pleasure," said Raston, assisting
+his distinguished visitor to pull off his coat. "I thought you would
+have written to me about your visit to Penny."
+
+"I didn't go there," replied Marton, with a laugh. "The fact is, Harold,
+I cannot quite understand this case. You have not explained matters
+clearly enough in your letter. I have set a detective to watch Penny and
+Penny's shop, and I have come down to hear all details from your own
+worshipful lips. But what a foggy sort of place you have here! I have
+been driving in your mail-coach through a kind of cotton-wool. The guard
+thought we would never reach Colester. I felt like a character of
+Dickens in that coach. You are a primitive people here. Do you know I
+rather like it!"
+
+Marton was a tall, slim, black-haired man, neatly dressed in a tweed
+suit. He constantly smoked cigarettes, and maintained a perfectly calm
+demeanour. No one ever saw Marton excited. His face was clean-shaven,
+and his grey eyes were sharp and piercing. He looked what he was, a
+thorough gentleman, and a remarkably shrewd, clever man. His fame as a
+detective is so well known that it need hardly be mentioned.
+
+"I must get you something to eat," said Raston.
+
+"No. I dined at Portfront before I left. Give me a glass of port, and I
+can smoke a cigarette. This fire is comfortable after the fog."
+
+"I have some excellent port, Marton. My dear mother is under the
+impression that I am delicate, and keeps me well supplied from my
+father's cellar. I don't know what he says to it."
+
+"Being a clergyman, you had better not know," said Marton, dryly. "Your
+father had a vocabulary of--There, there, I'll say nothing more. I want
+my port, my cigarette, and a full account of this case. It seems to be
+an interesting one. I shouldn't have come down otherwise, even for your
+sake, my dear Harold. I have just twice as much business on hand as I
+can do with. The detective life is not a happy one."
+
+Raston poured out a glass of port and placed it at Marton's elbow. He
+watched his friend light a cigarette, and himself filled his well-worn
+briar. Then, when they were comfortably established, he related all that
+he knew about the case. Marton listened with his eyes on the fire, but
+made no observation until the recital was finished. Indeed, even then he
+did not seem inclined to talk.
+
+"Well?" said Raston, rather impatiently. "What do you think?"
+
+"Wait a bit, my friend. It is a difficult case. I am not prepared to
+give you an opinion straight away. I must ask something about the people
+concerned in it first. This Leo Haverleigh? What about him?"
+
+"He is a good man, and perfectly honest. I should as soon have suspected
+myself of stealing the cup as Leo. And I have known him for some time."
+
+"Well, if anyone ought to know the truth about a man's character I
+should think a clergyman was the person," said Marton. "Is it not Balzac
+who says the clergy are all in black because they see the worst side of
+human nature? Humph! Have you had to put on mourning for this
+Haverleigh?"
+
+"No. He has been a trifle wild, and has got into debt; but otherwise
+there is nothing wrong about him. Besides," added the curate, "Miss
+Tempest is in love with him, and they are engaged. She is a noble girl,
+and would not love a scoundrel."
+
+"Ah!" said Marton, cynically, "I have seen a remark of that sort in
+novels, my good man. In real life--But that is neither here nor there. I
+should like to meet this young man."
+
+"I can take you with me to-night. He is staying with Mr Pratt at The
+Nun's House. It is no very great distance away."
+
+"I can wait till to-morrow, Harold. I have no very great desire to go
+out into this dense fog. By the way, who is this Mr Pratt?"
+
+"A newcomer to Colester. He has been here off and on for the last few
+months, and has decided to settle here. He is well off, and has
+travelled a great deal. His house is beautifully furnished."
+
+"Quite an acquisition to the neighbourhood!" said Marton, drowsily. "I
+must make the acquaintance of your people here to-morrow. Just now I
+feel inclined to go to bed."
+
+"But tell me your opinion of this case?"
+
+"Well," said Marton, thoughtfully, "from all the evidence you give me it
+seems that Haverleigh is guilty."
+
+"No, Marton," replied the curate, "I'll never believe that. And you
+forget that he claims to have obtained the money from Sir Frank Hale."
+
+"Well, then, his possession of three hundred pounds is easily proved. I
+shall see Sir Frank Hale and question him. With regard to this Mrs Jeal,
+her story seems credible enough. I don't suppose she has any enmity
+against Haverleigh?"
+
+"No. But she is a woman I neither like nor trust. A demure, cat-like
+creature, with a pair of wicked eyes."
+
+"You make me long to see her," said Marton, waking up. "That is just the
+sort of person I like to meet. Do you think she may have stolen this cup
+herself, and have invented this wild story to account for the loss? I
+have heard of stranger and even more daring things."
+
+"No. That is out of the question, Marton. On the night the cup was
+stolen Mrs Jeal was watching beside this sick girl--the mad creature I
+have told you about. She is innocent."
+
+"Then I can only say that young Haverleigh seems to be the most likely
+person. Only, the evidence against him is so plain that I believe him to
+be guiltless. I always mistrust too plain evidence, Raston. It shows
+signs of having been prepared. Well, I'll see this young man to-morrow,
+and have a chat. I go by the face a great deal. Have you a photograph of
+him?"
+
+"No," said the curate on the spur of the moment. "Oh, yes, by the way! I
+took a group of our people at a picnic. It is not a bad picture,
+although small. You can see the whole lot at a glance."
+
+Raston got out the photograph, and Marton went to the lamp to see it the
+more plainly. He glanced at first carelessly at it, then his eyes grew
+large, his attention became fixed. At that moment there was a ring at
+the door. Marton looked at the clock. "You have a late visitor," he
+said.
+
+"A call to see some sick woman probably. Why do you look so closely at
+that picture, Marton?"
+
+"There is a face here I know. Who is that?"
+
+Raston looked. "That is the man with whom Haverleigh is staying. Pratt!"
+
+"Pratt?" repeated Marton in a thoughtful tone. "Has he a tattooed star
+on his cheek just under the cheek bone?"
+
+"Yes. And he is tattooed on the arm also--the right arm. I expect he had
+it done while he was a sailor."
+
+"Oh!" said Marton, dryly, "he says he was a sailor."
+
+"Not to my knowledge; but he has mentioned something of being an amateur
+one. Do you know him, Marton?"
+
+"If he is the man I think he is, I know him better than you do, Raston!"
+
+"Then who is--" Raston had just got thus far, when the landlady opened
+the door to announce Mr Pratt. "Here is the man himself, Marton."
+
+"Marton!" echoed Pratt, who was standing in the doorway.
+
+"Yes, Mr--Angel," said Marton, looking straight at him.
+
+Pratt stood for just half a moment as though turned into stone. Then he
+turned on his heel, and went out of the door and down the stairs as
+swiftly as he was able. Without a word Marton darted after him. By the
+time he reached the street door Pratt had disappeared in the fog.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A SURPRISE
+
+
+Raston was astonished when Pratt disappeared so suddenly, and Marton
+rushed out after him. He went to the door, but his friend was not to be
+seen. It was little use following, for he did not know which direction
+the man had taken, and the fog was so thick that he could hardly see the
+length of his hand before him. The whole of the spur upon which Colester
+was built was wrapped in a thick white mist, and those who were abroad
+in the streets ran every chance of being lost. The village was small,
+but the alleys and streets were tortuous, so there would be no great
+difficulty in mistaking the way.
+
+For over an hour the curate waited, yet Marton did not return. He could
+only suppose that the detective had followed Pratt, for what purpose he
+could not divine. Evidently Marton knew something not altogether to
+Pratt's advantage, and Pratt was aware of this, else he would hardly
+have disappeared so expeditiously. Moreover, Marton had addressed Pratt
+as "Angel," which hinted that the American was masquerading under a
+false name. Still wondering at what was likely to be the outcome of this
+adventure, Raston placed himself at the door and waited for the return
+of his friend. But, as time passed, he made sure that the detective, a
+stranger in the village, had lost his way.
+
+"I can't leave him out of doors all night," soliloquised Raston, peering
+into the fog; "yet I do not know where to look for him. However, his own
+good sense must have told him not to go too far."
+
+It was now after ten o'clock, and most of the villagers were in bed. Mr
+Raston then ventured upon a course of which he would have thought twice
+had the situation been less desperate. He placed his hands to his mouth
+and sent an Australian "cooe" through the night. This accomplishment had
+been taught to him by an Australian cousin. As this especial cry carried
+further than most shouts, Raston congratulated himself that he knew how
+to give it. It was the only way of getting into communication with
+Marton.
+
+After shouting once or twice, Raston heard a faint cry in response. It
+came from the right. So the curate, feeling his way along the houses,
+started in that direction, shouting at intervals. Shortly the answering
+cry sounded close at hand, and after some difficulty and inarticulate
+conversation the two men met. With an ejaculation Marton grasped the
+hand of his friend. "Thank Heaven you have found me," said the
+detective. "I have been going round in a circle."
+
+"Did you catch up with Pratt?" asked Raston.
+
+"No; the rascal disappeared into the fog, and I lost myself in pursuit
+of him in about three minutes."
+
+"Why do you call him a rascal?"
+
+"Because he is one; I know all about him. But I never thought I should
+have stumbled on 'Mr Angel' in this locality. I feel like Saul, who went
+out to look for his asses and stumbled on a kingdom."
+
+"Is his name Angel?"
+
+"That is _one_ of his names; he has at least a dozen. Why he should have
+chosen one that fitted him so badly I cannot say."
+
+By this time Raston, holding on to Marton's coat sleeve, had guided the
+detective back to his lodgings. The man was shivering with cold, for he
+had gone out without coat or hat. He hastily swallowed a glass of port,
+and began getting his things to go out. "You're not going into that fog
+again!" protested Raston. "You'll only get lost."
+
+"Not under your capable guidance," laughed the detective. "You must
+guide me to the house of this Mr Pratt. I intend to arrest him."
+
+"Arrest him!" echoed the curate, staring. "Dear me, what has he done?"
+
+"Ask me what he hasn't done," said Marton, with a curl of his lip, "and
+I'll be better able to tell you. It's a long story, Raston, and time is
+passing; I want to go to the man's house. Is it far from here?"
+
+"Some little distance," replied the curate, wondering at this haste. "I
+can find my way to it by guiding myself along the walls. But you can't
+arrest him, Marton, whatever he has done, unless you have a warrant."
+
+"I accept all responsibility on that score," replied Marton, grimly.
+"The police have wanted Mr Angel, _alias_ Pratt, for many a long day.
+Now the rascal knows that I am here, he will clear out of Colester in
+double quick time. I want to act promptly and take him by surprise. Now
+don't ask questions, my dear fellow, but take me to the house. I'll tell
+you all about this man later on. By the way, he is the individual who
+gave your church this celebrated cup?"
+
+"Yes. I really hope there is nothing wrong."
+
+"_Everything_ is wrong. I expect the cup was stolen--"
+
+"It _is_ stolen--"
+
+"Pshaw! I don't mean this time. Pratt stole it himself. I wonder he
+dare present his spoils to the Church. The fellow must have very little
+religion to think such an ill-gotten gift could be acceptable."
+
+"Stolen!" murmured Raston, putting on his coat. "But why--who is Pratt?"
+
+"Simply the cleverest thief in the three kingdoms. Come along!"
+
+Raston gasped, but he had no time to ask further questions. The
+detective had him by the arm and was hurrying him to the door. When
+outside he made the curate lead, and followed close on his heels.
+Raston, rather dazed by this experience, turned in the direction of The
+Nun's House, and, guiding himself along the walls and houses, managed to
+get into the street in which it stood--that is, he and Marton found
+themselves on the highroad which led down to King's-meadows. It was
+fully an hour before they got as far as this, for the fog grew denser
+every moment. Finally, Raston stumbled on the gate, drew his friend
+inside with an ejaculation of satisfaction, and walked swiftly up the
+path that led to the house. On the ground floor all was dark, but in the
+centre window of the second storey a light was burning. Marton did not
+wait for the curate, but ran up the steps and knocked at the door; he
+also rang, and he did both violently. For a time there was no response,
+then the light disappeared from the window above.
+
+In a few minutes the noise of the bolts being withdrawn was heard, and
+the rattle of the chain. The door opened to show Leo in his
+dressing-gown standing on the threshold with a lighted candle in his
+hand. He looked bewildered and angry, as though he had just been aroused
+from his first sleep, which indeed was the case. "What the devil is the
+matter?" he asked crossly, peering out into the night. "You make enough
+noise to wake the dead! Who is it?"
+
+"It is I, and a friend, Haverleigh," said the curate, pushed forward by
+the detective. "Is Mr Pratt within?"
+
+"I suppose so," replied Leo, much astonished at this nocturnal
+visitation; "he is no doubt in bed. I can't understand why he did not
+hear the noise you made. Has he left anything at your place, Raston?"
+
+"Ah! You knew he was going to see Mr Raston?" put in Marton, sharply.
+
+"He left here over two hours ago, and I went to bed. Then I heard him
+come back just as I was falling asleep, but he did not come up to my
+room. If you will tell me what is the matter, I'll rouse him.
+
+"Let us enter, Haverleigh," said the curate, who was shivering. "We have
+much to tell you."
+
+Still much puzzled, Leo led the way to the library after shutting the
+door, and the two men followed him. He lighted the gas--Colester was not
+sufficiently civilised for electric light--and then turned to ask once
+more what was the matter. Raston thought the best way to bring about an
+explanation was to introduce his friend, who was already looking keenly
+round the well-furnished room. "This is Mr Marton," he said. "He is a
+London detective."
+
+With a bitter laugh Leo set down the candle on the table. "What," he
+said, "are you the man with the bow-string, Raston? Scarcely worthy of
+your cloth! If you wanted to arrest me, you might have waited until
+morning!"
+
+"Who is this young gentleman?" asked Marton, suddenly.
+
+"I am Leo Haverleigh, Mr Detective," replied the young man, sharply;
+"and I suppose you have come here at the instance of Mr Tempest to
+arrest me!"
+
+Marton snatched up the candle, and held it close to Leo's face. He was
+apparently quite satisfied, for he spoke in a more friendly tone.
+
+"You need not be afraid, Mr Haverleigh," he said soothingly. "I have not
+come to arrest you--but to investigate the case. I don't think there is
+any chance of your being arrested. Your face is enough for me. But this
+is all very well," he added impatiently; "I want Pratt!"
+
+"I will go and wake him," said Leo, who could make neither top nor tail
+of all this, but who was relieved to find that he was not in danger of
+arrest. He retired from the room, while Marton darted about here there,
+and everywhere. He was like a bloodhound nosing a trail. Suddenly he
+stopped before a cabinet, a drawer of which was open.
+
+"Too late!" said Marton in a tone of disgust. "He's bolted."
+
+"How could he bolt in this fog?" asked Raston, dubiously.
+
+"Oh, he'll find his way somehow. Tony Angel is the cleverest of men for
+getting out of a difficulty. He has evaded the police for years. See, my
+dear chap, this drawer is open. That means he has taken money or
+valuables from it, and is now on his way to Heaven knows what
+hiding-place.
+
+"Can you be sure of that? The open drawer may be an accident. Besides,
+he would not think you would act so promptly."
+
+"Indeed, that is just why he has bolted so expeditiously," said Marton,
+with something of admiration in his tones. "Angel has experienced my
+promptitude before, and several times I have been on the point of
+capturing him. He has taken French leave within the last two hours. But
+for that infernal fog I should have stuck to him till I ran him down.
+Or, at all events, I might have disabled him with a shot."
+
+The curate looked at his friend aghast. "A shot!" he stammered.
+
+Marton produced a neat little revolver. "I should have used that had I
+been able," he said quietly. "It does not do to adopt half measures with
+our mutual friend. Besides, if hard pressed he would have returned the
+compliment. Your Haverleigh fellow is a long time!"
+
+"He'll be back soon. You can trust Leo. Surely, Marton, you do not think
+he knew anything of Pratt's doings?"
+
+"With such a face as that he knows precious little," retorted Marton;
+"he is a good fellow, but not sharp. He did not steal that cup, nor did
+he help Pratt to get away. No, Raston. Our criminal friend came back
+here while I was blundering in the fog, and after taking some money
+cleared out without loss of time. I sha'n't catch him now. I suppose the
+telegraph-office is closed?"
+
+"Yes. It closes here at nine o'clock. And even if you sent a wire, it
+would not be delivered at Portfront to-night."
+
+"No, I suppose not. You are all so slow in these country places! It is
+clever of you to mention Portfront, Raston. You think that Tony Angel
+will go there?"
+
+"How else can he get away?"
+
+"I don't know. You know the country better than I do. But I tell you
+what, our friend will not go to Portfront or anywhere near it."
+
+"Why not?" asked the curate, bewildered.
+
+"Because you expect him to go there. Angel always does the thing that is
+not expected. I wish I had caught him! I've been years trying to hunt
+him down. And the beast has made himself comfortable here!" said Marton,
+with a glance round. "I bet you, Raston, that the greater part of these
+things have been stolen."
+
+"Stolen, Marton! How terrible. And the cup?"
+
+"He stole that also," replied Marton, promptly, lighting one of his
+cigarettes. "Oh, he is a clever man, is Angel. Ah! here is our young and
+enterprising friend. Well, Mr Haverleigh, so Pratt has gone?"
+
+"Yes," said Leo, looking puzzled. "I went to his room and found that his
+bed had not been slept in. The back door is open, although closed--that
+is, it has not been locked. How do you know Pratt has gone?"
+
+"I'll tell you later. Throw a few logs on that fire, Raston. It will
+soon burn up. Here is a bottle of whisky, too, and some soda."
+
+"I left that for Pratt," said Leo, somewhat surprised at the cool way in
+which this man was behaving.
+
+"And Pratt was too clever to muddle his head when he needed all his wits
+about him. By the way, has his jackall gone also?"
+
+"Adam is not in, if that is what you--"
+
+"Yes, Mr Haverleigh, that is exactly what I do mean. Ha! Clever man
+Pratt! He came back here straight, and, warning his pal, walked off,
+leaving the empty house to me and to you, Mr Haverleigh. Did you hear
+him leave?"
+
+"I heard nothing until you knocked at the door. Then I wondered why Adam
+did not hear you. The other servants are asleep at the back of the
+house, and I suppose they also expected Adam to answer the bell."
+
+"That is extremely probable. Well, let us hope the remaining servants
+will sleep well. To-morrow they must leave this house!"
+
+"Why, in Heaven's name?" asked Leo, starting up.
+
+"For the very simple reason that the police will be put into possession
+here by me to-morrow."
+
+"What? Did Pratt steal the--I don't understand. Raston, what does this
+man mean? Who is he? What are--"
+
+"Wait a bit, Mr Haverleigh," interrupted Marton, motioning the curate to
+hold his tongue, "all in good time. I am Horace Marton, a detective. I
+was asked by Mr Raston to investigate this robbery, and he was telling
+me about it at his lodgings. Your friend Mr Pratt arrived, and when he
+saw me he bolted out into the fog. I followed and lost him. Then I got
+back to Raston here, and we have been over two hours looking for this
+confounded place. During that time Pratt and Adam have made themselves
+scarce."
+
+"But why should they do that?" asked Leo, still puzzled.
+
+"Because this man who calls himself Pratt, and poses as a giver of gifts
+to the Church, is a well-known London thief, and his man Adam is what he
+would call a pal. 'Tony Angel,' that is the real name of Mr Pratt, but
+he had half-a-dozen others beside. I congratulate you on your friend, Mr
+Haverleigh!"
+
+"I never knew anything of this," cried Leo, utterly taken aback.
+
+"I am quite sure of that, Haverleigh," said the curate, heartily.
+
+Marton chuckled. "Wait a bit, Harold," he said; "do not be in such a
+hurry. How do we know that Mr Haverleigh has not been working together
+with Tony Angel? He may know all about him and may have been employed by
+him to steal the very cup which was given by Pratt as an evidence of his
+respectability."
+
+Leo jumped up and would have flung himself on Marton; but Raston held
+him back. "How dare you make such an accusation against me?" cried the
+young man, furiously. "Let me go, Raston; don't you hear what he says?"
+
+"Wait a bit, Haverleigh," urged the curate. "Marton does nothing without
+a motive. He can explain if you will remain quiet."
+
+Thus advised, Leo sat down again, but in rather a sulky humour. "I am a
+trifle tired of being called a blackguard," he said, frowning at Marton,
+who regarded him with a friendly smile. "I know absolutely nothing about
+Mr Pratt, save that he was a friend of Mrs Gabriel's, and that he has
+been very good to me. I always thought he was what he represented
+himself to be."
+
+"Small wonder you did," said Marton, coolly. "Angel would deceive a much
+cleverer man than you appear to be, Mr Haverleigh! And look here, I may
+as well tell you at once that I am certain you knew nothing about him.
+Also I am equally certain that you have had nothing to do with this
+robbery. I cannot say yet whether Pratt--as I may continue to call him
+for clearness' sake--stole the cup. But you are innocent, Mr
+Haverleigh; and I intend to do my best to get you out of your trouble.
+Shake hands."
+
+At first Leo hesitated, for he was still sore about the accusation. But
+the detective regarded him in a friendly manner, and his smile was so
+irresistible, that in the end he shook hands heartily. He felt that the
+man who spoke thus would be a good friend. "You know all about the
+case?"
+
+"All that Mr Raston could tell me," said the detective, "even to the
+fact that you borrowed the money for which you are accused of stealing
+the cup from Sir Frank Hale."
+
+"Then I wish you would make him acknowledge the loan," said Leo,
+petulantly.
+
+Marton started and looked at the young man. "Does he not do so?"
+
+"No. He is in love with Miss Tempest, who is engaged to me, and he says
+he will deny the loan if I do not give her up."
+
+"And marry his sister, I suppose!" interposed the curate, whereat Leo
+nodded.
+
+"Humph!" said Marton, thoughtfully, caressing his chin. "It seems to me,
+Mr Haverleigh, that you have been made a tool of by unscrupulous people.
+But I'll give my attention to this to-morrow. I'll get the truth out of
+this Hale! He don't dare to palter with me. Leave yourself and your
+reputation in my hands, Haverleigh."
+
+"Very gladly," said Leo, heartily; "but what about Pratt?"
+
+Marton reflected, and took a sip of whisky and water. "He's gone. I do
+not think he will appear again in Colester."
+
+"But he has left his house and all these beautiful things behind him,"
+put in Raston, with a glance around.
+
+"I see he has made himself comfortable," said Marton, with a shrug; "it
+was always his way! This is not the first time he has furnished a house,
+settled down. He has been driven out of every burrow, however. This time
+I discovered his hiding-place by accident. Colester was about the best
+place in the whole of England he could have chosen. No one would have
+thought of looking for him here. I daresay he expected to settle down
+and die in the odour of sanctity, surrounded by his ill-gotten gains.
+But he has not gone empty-handed, Haverleigh. He is too clever for that,
+and is always prepared for an emergency."
+
+"But _who_ is Pratt?"
+
+"Well; you are asking me a hard question. I understand he is a workhouse
+brat of sorts. He himself claims to be the illegitimate son of a
+nobleman. Certainly, he has a very gentlemanly appearance. He has been
+working for at least thirty years, and has always contrived to evade the
+English police. I believe he was laid by the heels in America."
+
+"He has travelled a great deal."
+
+"I believe you! He knows the whole world and all the scoundrels in it. A
+king of crime! That is what Pratt is. The generality of thieves adore
+him, for he has his good points, and he is generous. Well, we have
+talked enough for to-night. I'll sleep here, Haverleigh. Raston?"
+
+"I'll return to my own place," said the curate, rising to go.
+
+And this he did, but Marton, having found the burrow of Pratt, _alias_
+Angel, did not intend to leave it. He was quite as clever as the man he
+was hunting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT
+
+
+Marton did not wish the identity of Pratt to be concealed. On the
+contrary, he gave it as wide a publicity as possible, hoping that it
+might lead to the man's capture. Everyone from Portfront to Colester
+knew the would-be country gentleman, so it was not unlikely that he
+might be caught. Considering that only a night had elapsed, it was
+impossible that he could have got far away, especially in a fog. And if
+Pratt escaped there was always the off-chance that Adam might be laid by
+the heels.
+
+An examination next morning showed Marton that the two bicycles were
+missing, so he judged that both men had gone off together. It was
+improbable in Marton's opinion that they had gone to Portfront, as they
+could not possibly leave before the steamer at seven o'clock, and the
+police could be communicated with by telegraph before they could get
+clear of the place. At half-past six Marton routed a telegraph operator
+out of his bed, and set him to work. He wired to the inspector at
+Portfront to arrest Pratt and his man forthwith, or, at all events, to
+detain them until the London police could be communicated with and a
+warrant for Pratt's manifold iniquities procured.
+
+But, to Marton's surprise, no answer was returned from Inspector German.
+Yet the inspector knew Pratt well, and, if the man set foot in
+Portfront, could easily seize him. Later on, somewhere about nine
+o'clock, the reason that no answer had arrived became apparent. A
+messenger came from Portfront to say that the telegraph wire between
+that place and Portfront had been cut midway. There was only one line,
+so all communication had been broken off. The steamer had started, and,
+without doubt, the two men were on board. At once Marton started off to
+Portfront on the curate's bicycle. On his arrival he went to see German.
+
+The inspector was much astonished when he heard the story. He had not
+received the wire, and therefore had done nothing. In Marton's company
+he hurried to the office of the steamer.
+
+"You see the kind of man we have to deal with, German," said Marton,
+much vexed. "It was a clever dodge to cut the wire, and yet he gave
+himself away. I did not think he would go to Portfront, but the cutting
+of the wire proves he did. We'll wire to Worthing, and stop him there."
+
+An inquiry at the steamer office resulted in nothing. It seemed that Mr
+Pratt had a season ticket, and therefore had not purchased one. Nor had
+Adam, so it might be that he was still in the town. The loafers on the
+pier said they had not seen Pratt go aboard.
+
+"Humph!" said Marton, "he sneaked on in some disguise."
+
+"Is he clever at disguising himself?" asked German.
+
+"I should think so. His own mother would not know him. Still, he had no
+time to make-up before he left Colester, so he may not be so carefully
+disguised. I daresay we can catch him at Worthing."
+
+A wire was sent to Worthing forthwith, and another to Scotland Yard,
+requesting that someone might be sent down to take charge of Pratt's
+house, and to identify the goods he had in it. There was a list of the
+houses Pratt had broken into, and a list of the stolen goods also, so it
+would be easy to have this brought down and compared with the contents
+of The Nun's House. Having thus done all that he could under the
+circumstances, Marton returned to Colester, where he found the curate
+and Leo waiting for him. The latter had now taken up his quarters at the
+inn. But he kept within doors, as now that the identity of Pratt was
+known, Leo was credited with having been his confederate.
+
+There was tremendous excitement in Colester over the discovery that the
+village had entertained unawares a well-known London thief. Many of the
+villagers flattered themselves on the stern and non-committal attitude
+they had adopted towards the too fascinating stranger. Mr Pratt had
+never been very popular, but now he was spoken ill of on every hand. The
+whole village would have been delighted to have seen him in the power of
+the law.
+
+But Pratt was too clever for them all. The wire to Worthing produced no
+result. Neither Pratt nor Adam were on board. It then appeared that the
+steamer had put in at Bognor. Marton had omitted to advise the police
+there of the fugitives, so it was presumed that they had got off with
+the rest of the passengers. The captain did not know Adam by sight, and
+Pratt had evidently disguised himself well. At all events, in the crowd
+the two had passed unnoticed. Although the London stations were watched,
+no sight could be caught of them.
+
+"A clever man Pratt!" said Marton, when informed of his ill success. "I
+am perfectly certain of the way in which he went about the matter. He
+and his servant got off at Bognor, and alighted at some station just
+outside the metropolis. They got to their own haunts by some back way."
+
+"Do you know of their haunts?" asked Leo, who was keenly interested in
+the matter, and could not help feeling relieved that Pratt had escaped.
+
+"Oh! they change them every now and then. Besides, Adam will keep out of
+sight, and Pratt will so disguise himself that there will be no
+recognising him. He's got clean away this time. And I believe, Mr
+Haverleigh," added Marton, with a laugh, "that you are rather pleased!"
+
+"Well," said Leo, with some hesitation, "in spite of all you say, I
+can't bring myself to believe that Pratt is a bad sort of chap. He was
+very kind to me."
+
+"He is kind to most people. He poses as a kind of modern Robin Hood, who
+robs the rich to give to the poor. I have known him to do many kind
+actions. But he is a scamp for all that, and if I could lay my hands on
+him I'd get him!"
+
+Mrs Gabriel was much annoyed to find that Pratt was so notorious a
+character. She determined to clear herself of complicity in his sordid
+crimes, although no one ever suspected that she had any knowledge of the
+man's true character. She sent for Marton, and had a long talk with him
+about Pratt; incidentally a reference was made to Leo.
+
+"I have asked you to see me, Mr Marton," she said, "because it was I who
+introduced Mr Pratt to Colester. I have known him ten years, and he
+always appeared to me to be a most respectable American."
+
+"He is not an American at all," said Marton. "But he could assume any
+nationality that suited him for the moment. He is a brilliantly-clever
+man, Mrs Gabriel, and I do not wonder he took you in."
+
+"He got no money out of me, at all events," said the lady, grimly.
+
+"Ah! Then you escaped easily. The wonder is he did not try and marry
+you! A rich widow is exactly the kind of victim he would like."
+
+"I am not the sort of woman to be anyone's victim, Mr Marton."
+
+Marton, looking at her stern, strong face, quite agreed, but he was too
+polite to give vent to his feelings. He merely inquired how Mrs Gabriel
+had become acquainted with this Prince of Swindlers. She had no
+hesitation in giving him full details.
+
+"I met him at a Swiss hotel many years ago," she said. "He was then
+called Pratt, and he posed as a rich American. I met with an accident
+while out walking on the hill above Montreux, and lay out till
+nightfall. Mr Pratt rescued me from this very unpleasant position, and
+took me back to the hotel. A friendship sprang up between us, and when
+he returned to England he called on me. As he was always the same for
+ten years, and I saw much of him, I never suspected that he was other
+than he represented himself to be. Besides, Mr Marton, you must admit he
+is a most fascinating man."
+
+"Much too fascinating, Mrs Gabriel, as many have found to their cost."
+
+Mrs Gabriel reflected a moment. "Do you think he will be put in prison?"
+
+"Certainly, if we catch him," replied Marton, quietly; "he is a man
+dangerous to society. All his life he has been a rogue and a criminal.
+All his money comes to him in the wrong way. That house below--I believe
+you let it to him, Mrs Gabriel--is filled with the proceeds of his
+robberies. He bought the furniture, but the objects of art--even the
+pictures--have all been stolen. In a few days I shall have some people
+down from Scotland Yard to identify the things and restore them to their
+owners. But as to Mr Pratt, I fear he has escaped out of the clutches of
+the law--as usual."
+
+"I cannot say I regret it," said Mrs Gabriel, boldly. "Bad as he is,
+there are worse people in the world, Mr Marton. But tell me, sir. You
+are investigating this robbery. My adopted son, Mr Haverleigh is
+suspected."
+
+"He is perfectly innocent, Mrs Gabriel. The money he was said to have
+obtained from the sale of the cup was given to him by Sir Frank Hale."
+
+"Sir Frank denies it."
+
+"So Mr Haverleigh says. But I'll see Sir Frank myself, and see what I
+can make of him. I would rather believe Mr Haverleigh than anyone else.
+He has an absolutely open nature."
+
+"He is a fool, if that is what you mean."
+
+"Pardon me, I do not think so! A man can be straightforward and
+honourable, as Mr Haverleigh is, without being a fool. As yet I have not
+investigated this case, as my attention has been taken up with Pratt.
+But in a day or so I hope to go to work and then I am prepared to say
+that the crime will not be brought home to your nephew."
+
+"Have you any suspicions?"
+
+"Not yet. I have not searched out the evidence sufficiently."
+
+"Mrs Jeal saw my nephew pawn the cup."
+
+"Ah! That is a mystery which I must fathom, Mrs Gabriel. A person
+resembling Mr Haverleigh pawned the cup, but I am sure it was not your
+nephew. There is a conspiracy against him, on whose part I am not
+prepared to say yet. But I shall find it out, clear his character, and
+punish those who have been concerned in it. And now, Mrs Gabriel, I must
+bid you good-day, as my time is fully occupied. Let me, however, inform
+you that there is no need to excuse your association with Mr Pratt. I
+quite understand how he wriggled himself into your acquaintance, and
+you are in no way to blame. Once more, good-day!"
+
+Marton bowed himself out. But he had seen enough of Mrs Gabriel to note
+the strong hatred she bore towards Leo, and he wondered what could be
+the reason. Also, he saw that for a moment she had flinched at the
+mention of conspiracy, which set him on the alert as to whether her
+detestation of her nephew had carried her so far as to plot against his
+good name.
+
+"If there is anything the matter, Hale is the man to know," murmured the
+detective; "he lent the money, and now declines to acknowledge the loan.
+I believe there is something bad at the back of all this. Poor
+Haverleigh seems to be the most harmless of men, yet he is being ruined
+in some underhand way. Well, I'll settle Pratt's matter, and then clear
+his name."
+
+But before Marton could do this, Providence took the task out of his
+hand. For the next ten days he was busy consulting with those sent down
+from Scotland Yard about the numerous stolen articles found in The Nun's
+House. The cabinet of antique coins was restored to a famous collector,
+who had lost them five years before. Many pictures were replaced in the
+galleries of country houses, and, in one way and another, by the time
+The Nun's House was denuded of what belonged to other people, there
+remained very little but the furniture. And even some choice articles of
+furniture were found to be the property of other people. It was really
+wonderful the amount of stolen goods that Pratt had collected. He must
+have thieved for years to have got together such a collection.
+
+"But he will start no more burrows," said Marton, when all was at an
+end. "He never expected that I should find him here, and therefore
+collected all his treasures. His life is not long enough to enable him
+to bring together such a collection of things again. Besides, he has not
+the same wide field for his knaveries. The police are one too many for
+him now."
+
+Marton said this to the vicar, who was deeply shocked to hear of the
+wickedness of the man from whom he had accepted the cup. "Do you think
+that sacred vessel was stolen also, Mr Marton?" asked the good man.
+
+"I am perfectly sure of it," replied the detective, promptly; "but we
+have not got the cup down on our list, and no one has come forward to
+claim it."
+
+"It has not been advertised, Mr Marton."
+
+"Pardon me, sir, it has been advertised, and by someone in this place. I
+saw this notice in the _Daily Telegraph_, also in the _Times_. Can you
+tell me who 'S.T.' is, Mr Tempest?"
+
+The vicar took the newspaper handed to him and looked at it in a
+bewildered manner. He read the notice carefully, but it never struck him
+that the initials were those of his own daughter. "I really do not know
+who can have inserted this, Mr Marton," he said. "It seems to be
+carefully worded, too, and a reward of fifty pounds has been offered.
+Dear me!"
+
+"I have a rival who is investigating the case," said Marton, with a
+smile. "Is the description accurate, vicar?"
+
+"Perfectly; even the inscription. If you will permit me to take this
+away, Mr Marton, I will see if I can discover who has put it in. I am
+annoyed that the thing should have been taken out of your hands. But, Mr
+Marton, before I leave you, let me state to you my conviction that my
+young friend Leo Haverleigh did not steal the cup."
+
+"Ah, indeed, Mr Tempest," said Marton, eyeing the old man keenly. "And
+what has led you to such a happy conclusion?"
+
+"I have no grounds for it save my inward conviction."
+
+"There is the story of Mrs Jeal, you know."
+
+Mr Tempest looked troubled. "Most remarkable story," he said. "But we
+have heard of many cases of accidental resemblances, Mr Marton. I fear I
+have been unjust to Leo, and I wish to withdraw any charge I may have
+made against him. I heard his defence, and saw his face while he was
+making it. Unless the face is not the index of the mind, I cannot bring
+myself to believe that he lied. No, Mr Marton, I cannot give you my
+reasons, but I am convinced that I misjudged Leo."
+
+"Were you prejudiced against him by Mrs Gabriel?" asked Marton, for Leo
+had told him his suspicions on this point.
+
+Mr Tempest hesitated. "I admit that I was," he said at length. "She said
+something to me which I am not at liberty to repeat."
+
+"Does it make Mr Haverleigh out a villain?"
+
+"By no means," said the vicar, hastily. "What she told me is sad, but
+not wicked. More his misfortune than his fault. I can say no more. I can
+keep this paper, Mr Marton? Thank you, sir. Good-day, good-day!" and the
+vicar walked away, leaving Marton pondering.
+
+It was three days after this, and when Marton was about to begin his
+investigation of the case, that he received a letter from London. He was
+more surprised than he chose to say when he found that it came from Mr
+Pratt. That gentleman gave no address--he had posted the letter at the
+General Post-office, so that even the district where he was hidden
+should not be traced. The letter--as Marton said afterwards--was one of
+consummate impudence, and it took him all his time to read it with
+patience. As a human document it possessed a certain value. The letter
+ran as follows, and Marton swore as he read:--
+
+  "DEAR MARTON,--So you have let me slip through your fingers again.
+  Is it not about time that you stopped setting your wits against
+  mine? Several times you have tried; but always you have been
+  beaten. Really, you must take lessons in the art of
+  thief-catching, if you want to deserve the reputation you possess.
+
+  "I am bound to say that but for the fog I should have been caught.
+  But, thanks to its friendly shelter, I ran back to my house, while
+  you were blundering about like a lost sheep, and warned Adam. I
+  knew you would have to get Raston to show you the way, and would
+  be some time. Still, I knew your infernal pertinacity, and made
+  myself as scarce as possible in a very short space of time. I
+  should like to have seen your face when you came to my house and
+  found your prey had escaped.
+
+  "I packed up my jewels, which I always keep prepared for such an
+  emergency as this, and, dressing myself warmly, I mounted my
+  bicycle. Adam, who had likewise made his preparations, mounted
+  another, and we both went down the main road. In spite of the mist
+  there was no difficulty. The highway runs in a straight line to
+  Portfront, and there was no vehicle abroad to make our travelling
+  dangerous. We did not hurry, but took our time, as I did not wish
+  to get to Portfront before the steamer went. As a matter of fact
+  we did, but hung about the outskirts of the town until it was time
+  to be aboard. Of course I do not need to tell you how I stopped
+  you from communicating with the Portfront police. I suggested the
+  idea, and Adam climbed the pole to cut the telegraph wire.
+
+  "We had a very pleasant trip as far as Bognor, where we got on the
+  train, and stopped at some station, the name of which I need not
+  tell you. We are now in London in very comfortable circumstances.
+  If you are clever enough to find me--which I don't think you
+  are--I promise to give myself up as soon as you appear. But there
+  is no chance of my seeing you. Better remain in Colester, my dear
+  Marton, and turn farmer. It is all you are fit for. Upon my honour
+  it is.
+
+  "One thing I should like to know. How the devil did you manage to
+  find out my retreat? I never thought you had it in you. I went to
+  see Raston on some business likely to enhance my popularity in the
+  parish, and I dropped across you! For the first time in my life I
+  was taken aback. Was it design or accident that I found you there?
+  I do not wish to compliment you undeservedly.
+
+  "Well, you have driven me away, and I must find a new place in
+  which to pass my old age. It is too bad of you, Marton! On my
+  soul, too bad! I was getting so popular in Colester. Now, I
+  suppose, everyone of the honest men are swearing at me. Yet I
+  never robbed them.
+
+  "One other thing. If you came down to investigate that robbery of
+  the cup I presented to the church, you can spare yourself the
+  trouble. I stole it myself. It went to my heart to lose so
+  valuable an object, and I was sorry when I had given it. I could
+  not ask for it back, so I resolved to steal it. I went to the
+  church, and, as I am a small man, I climbed in through the lepers'
+  window. I got the cup, climbed out again, and went back to my
+  house. Then I was afraid lest the cup would be seen by chance, and
+  all my popularity would go. I therefore resolved to pawn it. That
+  is a way I have kept safe many a piece of jewellery. I could not
+  go myself, but I sent Adam. He is rather like Leo Haverleigh, and
+  so that fool of a Mrs Jeal made the mistake. You need not look for
+  the cup in Battersea now, as I have redeemed it. I took the ticket
+  from Adam, and went myself. It is now in my possession, again,
+  and I do not intend to part with it any more. You know how fond I
+  am of beautiful things, dear Marton.
+
+  "Well, I daresay you guessed that I stole the cup. Here is my
+  confession, and you can tell all those fools at Colester,
+  including the vicar, that Leo Haverleigh is perfectly innocent. He
+  has not enough brains to steal anything. I only took back my own,
+  and I am proud of it, as I have bamboozled the lot of you--clever
+  Mr Marton included!
+
+  "Leo got the money with which he paid his debts from Sir Frank
+  Hale. You can ask him--Hale, I mean. If he denies it, I leave him
+  to you, as you are clever enough to get the truth out of him. He
+  wants to marry Sybil Tempest, and desires Leo to marry his sister
+  Edith. All this was a plot to get Leo into his power, and force
+  him to do what was wanted. I hope you will punish the young man
+  Hale. He is a cripple, and has all the spite of one. I should have
+  punished him myself, but you have deprived me of that pleasure. I
+  therefore call upon you to do your best.
+
+  "And now, my dear Marton, good-bye. Give my love to all the
+  mourning population of Colester, and especially to Mrs Gabriel, my
+  dear and life-long friend. I am afraid she will not get her rent.
+  Also I had the house re-decorated at her expense. The bills will
+  be sent in to her. Let her pay them with my blessing. I will write
+  to Leo myself, and give him my blessing. I have much to say to him
+  that will be of no interest to you. He is a good fellow, and I
+  wish to see him married to Sybil. He will be some day. I can
+  manage her fool of a father even at a distance.
+
+  "Now, I hope you will look after yourself, for my sake, Marton. So
+  long as the Scotland Yard idiots keep you on my track, I am safe.
+  If you died, they might perhaps pick a clever man, dangerous to
+  me, my friend. So, with all kind regards and best wishes until we
+  meet.--Believe me, my dear failure, yours never--in the flesh,
+
+                                                "RICHARD PRATT."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
+
+
+"I have been much to blame," said the vicar. "I set myself up as a judge
+when I had no right to do so. Leo, you must forgive me."
+
+"I forgive you freely," replied the young man, grasping the hand held
+out by Mr Tempest. "Appearances were against me, so it was little wonder
+that you did not entirely trust me. Still, Mr Tempest, you should have
+known me better than to think me guilty of such a crime."
+
+"I know--I know I have been wrong."
+
+"Well, let us drop the subject. My character is now clear, and I have no
+wish to recall a very disagreeable past."
+
+This conversation took place in the study of Mr Tempest, and in the
+presence of Sybil and Marton. The detective had shown the vicar the
+insolent but welcome letter he had received from Pratt. The confession
+therein entirely exonerated Leo, and he could again hold up his head. He
+and Mr Tempest were quite reconciled. Sybil, with her hand in Leo's,
+looked thoroughly happy.
+
+"_I_ never lost faith in you, Leo!" she said. "Sooner or later I knew
+that all would be well."
+
+"I have to thank Marton for the clearing of my character, Sybil."
+
+"Faith, you are wrong there!" said Marton, smiling. "I thought you were
+innocent; but as I had not looked into the case, I saw no means of
+proving it. Had not Pratt sent this confession I should still be in the
+dark. He is a scoundrel, but he is a good friend to you, Haverleigh!"
+
+"I don't agree with you," said Tempest, sharply, for he was still sore
+on the subject of the cup. "Pratt knew that Leo was suspected, and he
+should have come forward long ere this to put the matter right."
+
+"You ask too much from a man of Pratt's nature," said Marton, dryly. "It
+is wonderful that he should have confessed his guilt even at the
+eleventh hour. However, this closes the case, and I can go back to
+London. We know now who stole the cup, and we know also that it cannot
+be recovered. Pratt will stick to it this time. It was only his vanity
+and desire for popularity that made him give it away in the first
+instance."
+
+"If it came back to me I should never accept it," said the vicar,
+emphatically. "A stolen cup should never have been put to sacred uses. I
+wonder at the daring of the man!"
+
+"Oh! a man like Pratt is capable of anything," said Marton, with a
+shrug. "But you will never see him again, Mr Tempest. And now, Mr
+Haverleigh, I think you should see Sir Frank Hale and make him confess
+that he lent you the money."
+
+"There will be no difficulty about that," replied Leo. "Hale told only
+two people that he repudiated all knowledge of the loan. One was my
+aunt, the other myself. He is too cunning to tell the world the untruth
+he told us. Besides, my character being cleared, he can have no further
+hold over me. I fear he will be angry."
+
+"I am certain he will. Let us see him together."
+
+Leo was quite willing to do this, so after taking a fond leave of Sybil,
+and a cordial one of her father, he set out with the detective to bring
+Sir Frank Hale to his bearings. On the way Marton asked Leo's permission
+to touch upon a delicate subject. Haverleigh told him to speak freely.
+"I owe you too much to take offence at anything you may say," he
+observed. "You have been my very good friend, Marton."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," replied the detective, brightly; "and I really
+do not deserve your thanks. Any help I have given you has been purely
+accidental. If Pratt had held his tongue, you would still have been in
+the same position as before. But I am bound to say, Haverleigh, that
+even before the arrival of this letter Mr Tempest expressed his belief
+in your innocence."
+
+"I am glad of that," said Leo. "He treated me badly, and it is a
+pleasure to me to hear that his own good sense told him I was innocent
+before he had the actual proof. I am anxious to stand well with him,
+Marton."
+
+"Ah! That is the matter I wish to discuss. I see that you and Miss
+Tempest are much attached to one another. Do you think the vicar will
+consent to the marriage?"
+
+"I really can't say. Even before this scandal he seemed to be displeased
+with me, and kept me away from his house as much as possible. He did not
+want to see me, and he would not let me see Sybil. We had to meet by
+stealth. Now he may have changed his mind."
+
+"And if he has? What, then?"
+
+"Then I can announce my engagement to Sybil," said Leo. "But, you see, I
+am not in a position to marry, and may not be for a long time. I have to
+make my way in the world, and to make money also. I thought of enlisting
+for this war, and of fighting my way through the ranks to a commission."
+
+"Even then I do not see how you could marry. You might gain a
+commission, but not money. Until your worldly prospects are more secure,
+I do not think you should engage yourself to Miss Tempest."
+
+"That is straight speaking, Marton."
+
+"You gave me permission to speak out. I like you, Haverleigh, and after
+the trouble you have come through I think you should be rewarded by
+getting your heart's desire. But if you love Miss Temple, you will not
+marry her until you can give her a comfortable home. Even if you are
+successful in South Africa, a baggage waggon is not the place for a
+delicate girl. You can offer her nothing better than that."
+
+"True enough. I admit that what you say is correct. But what am I to
+do?"
+
+"Well," said the detective, after a pause, "it seems to me that you
+have some claim upon your aunt. She took charge of you and brought you
+up. I understand she intimated that you would be her heir, and you
+received an education to fit you for the position. If she intended to
+send you adrift as she _has_ done, she should at least have had you
+taught some profession or trade whereby you could earn your bread and
+butter. Yes; I think you have a right to demand some assistance from
+her."
+
+Leo shook his head and flushed. "I can't bring myself to do that," he
+said in a low voice. "She has insulted me so deeply that it goes against
+my nature to eat humble pie. I would rather make my own way in the
+world. As to Sybil, I shall not ask her to engage herself to me
+until--as you say--I can offer her a home."
+
+"You can do nothing but enlist, I suppose?"
+
+"No. Soldiering is all I am fit for. Now that my name has been cleared I
+will bid farewell to Sybil and enlist straight away. She will wait for
+me, I am certain. I get my commission I can perhaps see my way to make
+her my wife. If I am shot--well," Leo shrugged his shoulders, "there is
+an end to all things."
+
+"Haverleigh!" said Marton, after a pause. "Will you tell me what reason
+your aunt has for disliking you so much?"
+
+"I don't know. She has always been stern and hard with me. Lately she
+has openly hated me. That is why I left her."
+
+"There is something connected with you that is wrong?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge. I have been foolish, but not wilfully wicked."
+
+"I know that. But Mrs Gabriel knows something--it may be about your
+parents--that has prejudiced the vicar against you. It was her influence
+that made him turn against you. He admitted as much to me. But he
+refused to say what she had told him."
+
+"I guessed all this," said Leo, quietly; "but what can I do?"
+
+"Insist upon knowing what has been said. You have a right to. If the
+vicar will not speak out--and he has given his word not to--Mrs Gabriel
+may be forced to do so. Were I you, Haverleigh, I should see her and
+insist upon an explanation."
+
+"She won't give it."
+
+"I should force it out of her," said Marton, determinedly. "Oh! I know
+she is a hard woman, but if you persevere she must give way."
+
+Leo thought for a few moments. "Well, Marton," he said at length, "I
+will see the vicar first and speak to him on the subject of Sybil. From
+what he says I may see the reason of his attitude towards me. Then I can
+call upon Mrs Gabriel. You may be sure I shall do my best."
+
+Marton nodded, but said no more for the present, as by this time they
+were at the door of Hale's house. A demure servant opened the door and
+took in their names. Shortly she ushered them into a room where Sir
+Frank was seated in a chair by the window reading to his sister. Edith
+Hale looked pale and ill. She lay on a sofa, but started up and blushed
+rosy red when she saw Leo. There was no doubt that the poor girl was
+deeply in love with the young man. Leo, in the kindness of his heart,
+felt a pang. It seemed to him that he was treating her cruelly, although
+the position was none of his making.
+
+"Good-day!" said Hale, without rising, and including Leo and Marton in
+one swift glance. "I am surprised to see you, Haverleigh. I thought you
+did not care about keeping up my acquaintance."
+
+Leo would have replied sharply, but as Edith was present he cast a
+meaning glance in her direction. "I should like to speak with you
+alone," he said, "that is, in the presence of Mr Marton."
+
+Before Hale could reply Marton interposed. "Wait a bit," he said in his
+smooth voice, and with a glance at the girl. "There is something to be
+said first in the presence of Miss Hale."
+
+"In my presence!" she exclaimed turning red, while her brother scowled.
+
+"Yes. Something you will be pleased to hear. You both know that Mr
+Haverleigh has been accused of stealing this chapel cup."
+
+"I never believed it, never!" cried Edith, eagerly, and Leo gave her a
+look of gratitude, which made her turn pale with emotion.
+
+"And you, Sir Frank?"
+
+Hale shrugged his shoulders. "I never thought much about the subject,"
+he said, the lie coming at once to his practised lips. "The evidence was
+against Haverleigh, I admit; but I tried to think the best of him."
+
+"Your speech is rather contradictory, Sir Frank," was the dry response
+of Marton. "But I think you must have thought well of Haverleigh or you
+would not have helped him out of his difficulty by lending him money."
+
+"Oh, Frank, did you do that?" cried Edith, taking her brother's hand. "I
+love you for it. How good you are!"
+
+Hale's face grew blacker and blacker. Had he been alone he would have
+lied, but in the presence of the sister he loved so deeply he could not
+bring himself to deny the truth. Moreover, he had a kind of instinctive
+feeling that Marton had come to proclaim the innocence of Leo, else why
+should he come at all? His plot of getting Leo into his power had
+failed--he was clever enough to see that--so it only remained for him to
+retreat with as much dignity as possible.
+
+"I was only too glad to help Haverleigh," he said quietly, and with
+marked courtesy. "He was in debt, and the three hundred pounds I gave
+him was of some use, I believe. I beg that he will say no more on the
+subject."
+
+"How good you are--how good you are!" gasped Edith, caressing her
+brother. Leo and Marton glanced at one another. Hale's masterly retreat
+took them both by surprise. When Leo remembered the conversation in the
+chapel he could hardly believe his ears. The only thing to be done was
+to beat the man with his own weapons.
+
+"I will say no more, Hale, save that when I am able the money shall be
+repaid. I thank you heartily for your kindness."
+
+Sir Frank bit his lip, but summoned up sufficient dignity to be
+gracious. He and Leo were both wearing masks for the benefit of Edith.
+"Pay the money when you like," he said, sitting up. "I am shortly going
+abroad with my sister, and I do not think we shall see one another for a
+long time. However, my solicitor at Portfront will attend to the matter
+of the loan."
+
+"Then there really _was_ a loan," said Marton, determined to get the
+plain truth out of Hale in the presence of witnesses.
+
+"Certainly. I gave Leo three hundred pounds in gold. I have already said
+so."
+
+"And it was with that loan he paid his debts?" pursued Marion.
+
+"Yes," said Leo, seeing his drift, "I paid them with that money. But the
+good people here declared that I sold the cup to pay them!"
+
+"How could they! How could they!" muttered Edith.
+
+"Because they are fools," cried Sir Frank, seeing that he was completely
+beaten. "For my part, I never believed that Haverleigh did such a
+thing!"
+
+"Thank you," said Leo, inwardly smiling at the lie.
+
+"Then you will be delighted to hear that the thief has been found."
+
+As Marton spoke Hale suddenly turned pale, and rose with an effort.
+"The thief has been--found!" he stammered.
+
+"Yes," replied Marton, with a swift glance, thinking at once of his
+theory of a conspiracy. "It seems that this man Angel--I beg your
+pardon, you know him as Pratt--stole the cup."
+
+"But it was Mr Pratt who gave it!" cried Edith.
+
+"Quite so, Miss Hale. Afterwards he was sorry that his generosity had
+led him to make so great a sacrifice. Therefore he stole what he had
+bestowed."
+
+"And what about this story of Mrs Jeal?" asked Hale, trying to be
+amiable.
+
+"Oh! that was part of the business, Sir Frank. Pratt thought the cup
+would be seen here, even if he kept it in his house. So he sent it up to
+London to be pawned for safe keeping. You do not understand why this
+should be done. But then you have never come into contact with a man
+like Pratt. However, for reasons I need not explain, he pawned the cup.
+His servant Adam is rather like Mr Haverleigh, and it was thus that Mrs
+Jeal, not having a clear view, made a mistake. You understand, Sir
+Frank?"
+
+"Quite," replied Hale in a strangled voice. He was pale and
+anxious-looking. Leo thought that this was anger at his escape. But
+Marton took another and a more serious view.
+
+"I am sure you are pleased that Haverleigh's character has been
+cleared."
+
+"I am pleased--very--very pleased," said Edith, joyfully, "and so is
+Frank. Are you not, Frank?"
+
+"Yes! very pleased." Hale forced himself to say so much; then he walked
+to the door. "I am not well," he said, turning for a moment; "you will
+excuse me, gentlemen. My sister will see you out. If you--" He paused,
+and darting a look of hatred at Leo, left the room. Haverleigh was more
+surprised than Marton, who had captured a fresh idea, and was already
+building up a theory.
+
+Leo remained only a short time. He was most embarrassed by the looks of
+Edith, and escaped as speedily as courtesy permitted. When they left the
+house and were some distance on the road, Marton spoke. "I think there
+is insanity in that family," he said.
+
+"Why do you think so?"
+
+"The girl is queer. No woman in her sane senses would give herself away
+as she does. The brother is a cripple, and queer too. Never you marry
+into that lot, Haverleigh! They have some hereditary taint."
+
+"I have no intention of marrying anyone but Sybil," said Leo, dryly;
+"but did you see how Hale backed out of his false position?"
+
+"Yes; and I believe he has more to do with this matter than you think. I
+should not be at all surprised to find that he and Mrs Gabriel for some
+reason had been working together against you. Oh! there has been--there
+may be yet some conspiracy against you."
+
+"I can understand Hale conspiring," said Leo; "he wants to marry Sybil,
+and wishes Edith to become my wife. But Mrs Gabriel, why should she?"
+
+"We have yet to find that out," interrupted Marton. "Go and see what the
+vicar says. I must be alone for a time. I want to think the matter out.
+At all events, Hale has acknowledged that he lent you the money, in the
+presence of witnesses. You are all right in that quarter. I daresay
+he'll make another attempt to best you, though."
+
+"Nonsense. Did you not hear him say that he was going abroad with his
+sister? I think he will leave me alone now."
+
+"Perhaps," replied Marton, thoughtfully. "We'll see. I'll believe he is
+going abroad when he is across the Channel. I'm off for a long walk,"
+and the detective set off at a brisk pace.
+
+Leo thought no more about this especial matter, leaving it entirely to
+Marton. Forthwith he returned to the Vicarage, saw Mr Tempest, and then
+and there asked him if he objected to him as a suitor for Sybil. At this
+very direct question Mr Tempest wriggled and looked uncomfortable.
+
+"You put a very painful question to me, Leo," he said, after a pause. "I
+am ashamed of myself for having thought so ill of you, and I should like
+to make amends, if possible. I know that you are attached to Sybil, but
+now that you are at variance with your aunt, I do not see that you are
+justified in asking me to consent to this engagement."
+
+"I know what you mean," said Leo, proudly, "and I do not intend to
+engage myself until I am in a better position. All I ask is that you
+will not force Sybil to marry Hale when I am away."
+
+"I should not let her marry Hale in any case!" cried the vicar, angrily.
+"I would never give my child to a cripple. Moreover, the Hales are not
+so sane as they might be. And, Leo, I shall not force Sybil's
+inclinations in any way. She can remain unmarried all her life if she
+pleases."
+
+"That is all I want," said Leo, gladly. "I am going to enlist, Mr
+Tempest, and if I get a commission there may be some chance of my asking
+Sybil to be my wife. She will be true to me while I am away; I know she
+will."
+
+"Humph!" said the vicar, doubtfully. "A commission, eh?"
+
+Leo interpreted his objection. "Then you have something against me
+personally," he said, "and for this reason you do not want me to think
+of Sybil in any way. What is the matter, Mr Tempest?"
+
+"I can't tell you, Leo." The vicar looked directly at him. "So far as
+you are concerned, I do not wish for a better husband for my daughter,
+but Mrs Gabriel has informed me of something which makes me unwilling to
+countenance the marriage. Don't ask me what it is. I cannot tell you."
+
+"I do not ask you to tell me, Mr Tempest. This very night I shall ask
+Mrs Gabriel herself what she has been saying."
+
+"Better not," advised the vicar. "It will only cause you much distress."
+
+Leo looked at him in astonishment. What could his aunt have been saying
+about him or his parents likely to make the vicar take so strong a view
+of the matter? "If there is anything wrong I have a right to know," he
+said at length. "I shall insist upon an explanation, Mr Tempest. If I
+discover any valid reason why I should give Sybil up, I am quite ready
+to yield. When you next see me, Mr Tempest, I shall either have given up
+the idea of marrying your daughter, or I shall insist upon marrying her
+in spite of you and Mrs Gabriel! You cannot say that I am treating you
+unfairly. I go now."
+
+"But, my dear boy--" called out Mr Tempest, much distressed. He spoke to
+the empty air. Leo had already left the room and was out of the gate.
+
+After leaving The Nun's House, Leo had taken up his residence at the
+Colester Arms. Marton was there also, and Leo expected to see him at
+dinner. He was anxious to tell him what the vicar had said. But the
+detective did not return from his walk, and after waiting for him till
+close upon nine o'clock, Leo left the hotel and walked towards the
+castle to have it out with Mrs Gabriel.
+
+The night was moonless, but there were many stars. Here and there a
+swathe of mist lay on the plains below; but up on the hills all was
+comparatively clear. Leo, who knew every inch of Colester, walked slowly
+out of the town gate and crossed to the other hill. He took a narrow
+private path which he knew of, wishing to get unobserved to the castle.
+Just at the foot of this path he met Marton. The recognition was mutual.
+
+"You are going to see Mrs Gabriel?" said the detective.
+
+"Yes. Where have you been, Marton?"
+
+"I have been trying to see her, but she is ill--at least so the butler
+says. I suspect, however, this is a lie. She doesn't want to see me!"
+
+"Shall I--"
+
+"Yes, you go up. I must return to the hotel and get some dinner. I have
+been walking and thinking until I am worn out. I'll wait your return,
+and we can talk over the matter."
+
+"What matter?"
+
+"The conspiracy of Mrs Gabriel and Hale," said Marton, promptly. "Get on
+with you, Haverleigh. I'm off to dinner." And he went away at a quick
+pace, leaving Leo much astonished.
+
+However, there was no use in standing and wondering, so he pursued his
+way. As Mrs Gabriel was said to be ill, and had denied herself to
+Marton, it was not unlikely that he would be treated in the same way.
+Therefore, instead of going to the front door, Leo went round the castle
+on to the terrace. This was shut off from the rest of the ground by a
+high fence with a gate in it. Leo had retained the key of this gate and
+had no difficulty in getting in. The room which looked on to the terrace
+was lighted, but the blinds were down. Leo peered in. He saw Mrs Gabriel
+seated in a chair. Standing near her was Mr Richard Pratt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A NEW COMPLICATION
+
+
+Leo was so surprised by this unexpected sight that for the moment he
+stood still. Then he made up his mind to interview the pair. Mrs Gabriel
+and Pratt evidently understood one another, and the two of them together
+might probably tell him more about himself than one would do. Moreover,
+Leo was angry at the way in which Pratt had let him lie under the
+imputation of being a thief when he could have lifted the disgrace from
+off his shoulders. Certainly Pratt could have done so only at the risk
+of incriminating himself, but at the time Leo was too much annoyed to
+think of this. He saw that there was some mystery, and thinking it might
+have to do with Mrs Gabriel's enmity towards himself, he interrupted
+what seemed to be a furious conversation by knocking at the window.
+
+Mrs Gabriel and Pratt turned in the direction where the sound came, she
+with a pale face, and Pratt with a levelled revolver which he took from
+his breast pocket. Leo might have been in danger of his life, but that
+he chanced to remember a peculiar tune which Pratt had taught him, in
+order to announce his coming while he was staying at The Nun's House. At
+the time Leo had thought this was only a freak of the old man's, but
+now that he knew who Pratt was, he saw that there was use in it, to
+Pratt if not to himself. At all events, he began to whistle.
+
+Hardly had he got through the first few bars before Pratt's watchful
+attitude relaxed, and he tossed the revolver on to the table. Mrs
+Gabriel still continued to look agitated, but Pratt stepped towards the
+window and opened it coolly.
+
+"I knew it was you," he said, pulling Leo into the room and shutting the
+window. "It is a lucky thing you remembered my signal, else I might have
+drilled a hole in you. You come at a happy moment." Here he stopped and
+looked suspiciously at the young man. "Have you that infernal Marton
+with you?" he asked, with a glance at the window and a movement towards
+the revolver.
+
+"No, no," replied Leo, hastily. "I am all alone."
+
+"That's a good thing," said Pratt, grimly. "I won't be taken alive, I
+promise you. But I knew you would not give me away. I said so to Mrs
+Gabriel. She said you would--speaking the worst of you as usual."
+
+Leo was too much taken aback by the discovery that Pratt was in the
+castle to reply immediately. Moreover, the man was so cool and composed
+that he felt as though he were in the wrong. He tried to collect his
+scattered thoughts, but before he could open his mouth Mrs Gabriel spoke
+in her usual domineering tones.
+
+"What are you doing here, Leo?" she asked. "How did you get on to the
+terrace? No one can get on without the key of the gate."
+
+"I happen to have the key," said Leo, showing it. "You gave it to me
+yourself some years ago. When I left you I took it with me by mistake.
+It has come in useful to-night. You may thank your stars, both of you,
+that I did not bring Marton back with me. He left me at the foot of the
+hill with a story that you were ill, Mrs Gabriel."
+
+"Leo," said Pratt in an agitated tone, "surely you would not have
+brought the man here to get me into trouble?"
+
+"I did not know you were here," said Haverleigh, carelessly, for he was
+still angered at the man.
+
+"I have been here ever since the night I fled from Raston's house. It
+was Adam who went on to London and cut the wire."
+
+"And the letter in which you said you had stolen the cup?"
+
+"I wrote that here and posted it to Adam that he might send it from
+London. Mrs Gabriel helped me to hide. No one knows that I am in this
+house save herself, and now you are a sharer in our secret."
+
+"It must be difficult to keep your presence here a secret from the
+servants," said Leo, wondering how the man had forced Mrs Gabriel to
+help.
+
+Here the lady herself interfered. "It is not difficult at all," she said
+in her most offensive tones. "You know nothing of what you are talking
+about. Pratt is up in the tower room, and I take him food myself from my
+own meals. It is impossible that anyone can guess."
+
+"Well, my dear aunt," said Haverleigh, emphatically, "I know that Pratt
+is here. I think, therefore, you had better behave towards me in a more
+civil manner."
+
+"Ha!" scoffed Mrs Gabriel, folding her arms and looking defiant. "You
+would not dare to state the truth."
+
+"How do you know that?" said Leo, dryly. "Pratt is wanted by the law. He
+committed a theft here and allowed me to lie under suspicion. Why should
+I not give him up and accuse you of being an accessory to his
+concealment?"
+
+Mrs Gabriel frowned and her black eyes flashed, but Pratt, who had taken
+a seat, did not move. He merely laughed. "I don't think you will give
+away, Leo," he said. "I admit that Mrs Gabriel is enough to irritate a
+saint; but if you punish her you punish me also."
+
+"And you deserve punishment," retorted Leo.
+
+"Probably I do; but I have my own opinion of the matter. All I ask you
+to do is to hold your tongue until such a time as I can get away."
+
+"When are you going away?"
+
+"Soon, I hope," cried Mrs Gabriel, spitefully. "I am rather tired of
+having a jail-bird in my house."
+
+"Oh! you refer to that American affair," said Pratt, airily. "I had
+quite forgotten it. Well, my dear lady, I do not intend to burden you
+with my presence after to-morrow. By this time no one will be watching
+for me hereabouts, as I am supposed to be in London. I shall go
+to-morrow night and return to my London quarters, where Adam awaits me.
+By the way, Haverleigh, has that fool of a detective gone?"
+
+"He is going to-morrow," said Leo in a surly tone.
+
+"All the better. We can travel to London together. Ah, you smile, my
+dear Leo, but I assure you that if I chose to travel with Marton I
+should do so. I can disguise myself so effectively that even _he_ would
+not know me. It is not the first time I have baffled him."
+
+"Look here, Mr Pratt, or whatever you choose to call yourself," said the
+young man, calmly, "you have been kind to me in your own way, and I do
+not want to take advantage of your present unfortunate position. At the
+same time, you are a thief and a criminal, and I want to have nothing to
+do with you. Mrs Gabriel may approve of your company, but I do not wish
+to have you for a friend. I shall hold my tongue, but I recommend you to
+leave this place as soon as possible."
+
+Mrs Gabriel glared at Leo, as she could ill brook his references to
+herself. She half rose as though she would have flown at him, but a
+glance from Pratt quelled her, and she sat down with more meekness than
+could have been expected from such a redoubtable termagant. Pratt, still
+keeping his temper, turned to Leo. "It is very good of you to interest
+yourself in my movements," he said in silky tones, "but I can look after
+myself. It is a grief, my dear fellow, a great grief, that I should be
+compelled to leave this neighbourhood. I like the place, and the people
+are fairly agreeable. I was nicely settled in The Nun's House, and--"
+
+"Surrounded with stolen goods," interrupted Leo, wrathfully.
+
+Pratt sighed. "I had some charming things," he said; "how I shall miss
+them! I am too old to make another such collection. I suppose they have
+all returned to the people I took them from, I fear the stupid creatures
+will not appreciate them as I have done."
+
+Pratt's impudence was so consummate that Leo could not help laughing,
+but Mrs Gabriel rose in a black fury and shook her fist in the man's
+face. "How dare you boast of your iniquities in my house?" she cried.
+
+"In your house, my dear lady?" queried Pratt, blandly. Mrs Gabriel got
+very white and sat down again. Apparently Pratt had some power over her,
+which she was afraid he might use. Leo had never seen the woman so
+cowed.
+
+"Well, well," continued Pratt, stretching his legs; "I have to go,
+thanks to that wretched man Marton. How was it he appeared so
+unexpectedly?"
+
+"Raston sent for him to London to find out who committed the robbery."
+
+"Ah!" Pratt laughed. "I hope Mr Marton is satisfied now. My letter
+should have pleased him."
+
+"It pleased me more," said Leo, bluntly; "my name is now clear! And you
+will be glad to hear," he added, turning to Mrs Gabriel, "that Hale, in
+the presence of Marton and his sister, confessed that he lent me the
+money. I am afraid your plot against me has failed, my dear aunt."
+
+"Hold your tongue!" said Mrs Gabriel, angrily.
+
+"No. The time has passed for that. I am no longer in your power. I
+intend to make my own way in the world."
+
+"With assistance from Mrs Gabriel," said Pratt, quietly. "She will start
+you with a thousand pounds, my dear Leo."
+
+"I won't give one penny," said Mrs Gabriel, glaring. "You can do your
+very worst, Pratt. I have been your milch cow long enough."
+
+"I would not take anything from her," said Leo, interposing; "and I'll
+thank you, Mr Pratt, to leave my affairs alone. If you will persist in
+meddling with them, I shall not keep my promise of silence."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will!" chimed in Pratt, fixing him with his eye. "You dare
+not betray me, Leo."
+
+"_Dare_ not!" echoed the young man, angrily.
+
+"Not unless you want to be called an unnatural son, my boy!" Leo stared,
+not taking in the meaning of this speech. "For you are my son, Leo,"
+added Pratt in low tones, his eyes never leaving Haverleigh's face.
+
+"Your--your--Great Heavens!"
+
+Mrs Gabriel burst into a taunting laugh. "Ah, you know it at last!" she
+cried triumphantly. "And he has told you after threatening me with all
+sorts of things to keep me silent."
+
+"It's--it's not true!" gasped Leo.
+
+"It is perfectly true," said the woman, jeeringly. "You are the son of
+the cleverest thief in the three kingdoms."
+
+"Hold your tongue, you hag!" shouted Pratt, angrily, for Leo was as
+white as ashes and his face wore an expression of terrible agony.
+
+"I won't be quiet. You told him yourself, and now he shall know all--as
+the vicar does," finished Mrs Gabriel, laughing fiercely.
+
+Leo started to his feet. "Sybil!" he cried out, staring at his enemy. "I
+know now why the vicar will not let me marry her. You--you--"
+
+"Told him you were an illegitimate son," said Mrs Gabriel, rapidly. "I
+did not say who was your father, but now that Pratt's true character is
+known I shall tell Tempest everything. Then we shall see if he will let
+you speak to Sybil again."
+
+"You dare say a word, Mrs Gabriel, and I--"
+
+But the woman was not to be stopped. She turned like a fury on Pratt,
+who had risen angrily. "Hold your tongue," she said savagely; "I have
+had about enough of you and your precious son. You made me take him to
+my home and tell everyone that he was the son of my dead brother. A lie,
+as you well know. And you," she added, turning on Haverleigh, "you know
+now why I have hated you all these years. That man knows a secret of
+mine and he forced me to do his bidding. I took you here. I brought you
+up, I gave you money, and I let you take a position to which you were
+not entitled. Position!" Mrs Gabriel laughed scornfully. "Your position
+should be in the gutter, where you were born. You are no kith or kin of
+mine, thank God!"
+
+"And I do thank God," said Leo, vehemently. "You are a bad, evil-minded
+woman. Although my father is a thief, I would rather be his son than
+connected with you in any way. For years you have made my life a hell on
+earth with your vile temper. Terrible as is what you have told me, I
+prefer the thief to the righteous woman."
+
+The mistress of the castle recoiled aghast before this outbreak of
+anger. Never had the usually good-tempered young man spoken so fiercely
+to her. As he advanced towards her she believed that he was going to
+strike her, and put up her arm with a look of terror in her eyes. For
+once the bully was cowed.
+
+"Bravo, my boy!" cried Pratt, laughing at her discomfiture, and clapping
+Leo on the back. The young man started away.
+
+"Don't touch me," he said harshly. "Is it not enough that I should have
+the shame of being your son, but that you should approve of any action I
+do? But I do not believe that you are my father. Where is the proof?"
+
+"In London," said Pratt, very quietly, and wincing at the tone of Leo's
+speech. "If you come with me to London I can show you sufficient proof
+to make you believe."
+
+"My mother?" Leo, with a sudden thought, cast a look at Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"_I_ am not your mother," she said scornfully. "Didn't I say there was
+no blood of mine in your veins?"
+
+"Your mother is dead, Leo," said Pratt in a low voice.
+
+Mrs Gabriel laughed insultingly. "And I daresay she was some--"
+
+"If you dare to say another word," growled Pratt, casting a bitter look
+at her, "I'll give your secret to the world."
+
+"I don't care if you do," retorted Mrs Gabriel; but Leo saw that she
+quailed. What could she have done to give a man like Pratt--he could not
+call him father--a power over her?
+
+"You _do_ care," said Pratt, quietly; "but if you don't I'll begin by
+telling Leo. Here goes. Leo, my son--"
+
+In a moment Mrs Gabriel's defiant attitude became one of supplication.
+She sprang forward and caught Pratt by the arm. "Don't! don't," she said
+faintly. "I'll do whatever you wish."
+
+"Will you dare to speak again as you have done?"
+
+"No, no; I know you are the stronger. I could kill you," she muttered,
+with a flash of her old temper. "But I have to give in--I have to!"
+
+"Well," drawled Pratt, taking a pleasure in bringing her to her knees, a
+position to which she was quite unaccustomed. "You have persecuted my
+poor son so that I think he should have something to hold over your
+head. It would serve you right."
+
+"I don't want to know your wicked secrets," said Leo, very pale, but
+otherwise calm. "It seems to me that you are an evil couple. And
+I--Heaven help me!--have a father who is a thief."
+
+"What of that!" said Mrs Gabriel, getting angry again. "You are a thief
+as well, are you not? The cup--"
+
+"I did not steal it," said Leo, proudly. "You know as well as I do that
+this--this"--he winced--"father of mine took it away from the chapel."
+
+"That is just where you are wrong. He did not--"
+
+"Mrs Gabriel!" Pratt's voice sounded dangerous. She was quiet at once,
+and looked at him in a frightened way. But Leo had heard enough to
+arouse his suspicions. He turned on Pratt and seized him by the arm.
+
+"Have you been telling a lie?" muttered the unhappy young man.
+
+His father shook him off. "It's no use telling another one," he said in a
+dogged way; "now you know so much you may as well know all. I know
+nothing about the cup; but, to clear you, I took the blame on myself.
+You see, Leo," he said calmly, "my character is already so bad that a
+robbery more or less does not matter. I did it for you, my boy, as I
+have done everything else. I wanted you to be a gentleman and marry the
+girl of your heart. Sybil loves you, and I thought when the vicar knew
+you were innocent that he would let you marry her."
+
+"He might have done so," said Leo, sitting down in absolute despair;
+"but since Mrs Gabriel told him that I was illegitimate, he has never
+been the same. He is a proud man."
+
+"Too proud to let the son of a thief marry his child!" taunted the
+woman.
+
+"He doesn't know that Leo is my son," said Pratt, fiercely.
+
+"I intend to tell him as soon as you are away," she said.
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," said Pratt in a slow, venomous way
+which made her shrink back. "By speaking to the vicar and telling a lie
+you have caused trouble enough. He must know no more."
+
+"I did _not_ tell a lie."
+
+"You did. My son was born in lawful wedlock."
+
+"Then why didn't you bring him up yourself?" said Mrs Gabriel, with a
+sneer. "You gave him to me in London, and made me adopt him. I had to
+say that he was my nephew. Oh, how you have used me!"
+
+"And I have not done using you. Hold your tongue, or it will be the
+worse for you. You know the power I have. I will not scruple to use it
+if you dare to do anything against my orders. Now, you can go. I want to
+speak to my son alone."
+
+Mrs Gabriel seemed inclined to dispute this order, but a look from her
+tyrant cowed her. With a defiant flinging up of the head she walked out
+of the room, and closed the door.
+
+"She will tell the servants," said Leo.
+
+"Oh, no, she won't," said Pratt coolly. "You don't know the power I have
+over her. She will not dare."
+
+"I don't want to know anything," said Leo, looking down on the ground,
+with folded arms. "I know quite enough. Are you speaking truly?"
+
+Pratt met his gaze in a perfectly composed manner. "I am speaking the
+truth," he said; "you are my son, and your mother died two years after
+you were born. I was then in some danger from a--Well, no matter. To
+make a long story short, I wanted to procure a home for you where you
+would be brought up like a gentleman. Having a certain power over Mrs
+Gabriel, I fixed upon her, and made her tell the story of your being her
+nephew. She did all I wished, but had I known how she treated you," he
+muttered, clenching his fist, "I should soon have brought her to her
+bearings."
+
+"And it was this power that made her introduce you into Colester
+society?"
+
+"Yes. I can do what I like with the woman. I know it is a terrible thing
+for you to find out what I am. But I took to bad courses early, Leo, and
+I went from bad to worse. It is a second nature for me to steal--"
+
+"Oh!" Leo rose with a sickening sensation of disgust. "Don't tell me any
+of your evil doings. I know that you are my father; that you are a
+thief; I want to know no more. You have ruined my life."
+
+"I have not," said Pratt. "How can you say such a thing! What you have
+heard to-night need go no further. I shall say nothing, and Mrs Gabriel
+will be forced to hold her tongue. Your name is cleared of this theft."
+
+"Did you not steal the cup?" broke in Leo, looking at his father.
+
+"No; I did not. If I had stolen it I should say so. But I do not know
+who took it. I am going to London to find out. Old Penny, the
+pawnbroker, is a friend of mine. I know enough to get him into trouble
+as a receiver of stolen goods, so he will have to tell me who it was
+impersonated you."
+
+"You said in your letter that Adam--"
+
+Pratt interrupted impatiently. "Adam had nothing to do with it," he
+said. "I invented all that to throw dust in Marton's eyes. I suspect
+that Hale has something to do with the stealing of the cup. He may have
+taken it himself, for all I know. But Old Penny will tell me. I'll get
+to the bottom of this, you may be sure. As to you, Leo, hold your tongue
+about being my son and come back to Mrs Gabriel. She will be quite
+willing to receive you, and I can force her to make you her heir. Then
+you can marry Sybil. When you are rich and have an assured position, the
+vicar will overlook the stain on your birth. It is a lie, certainly,"
+added Pratt, with a shrug, "but to tell the truth would be to make
+matters worse, so we must leave things as they are. For once Mrs Gabriel
+has got the better of me. But it won't occur again. You stay with her,
+and I promise you she will be as polite as possible to you. You will be
+master here."
+
+Leo listened to this long speech with his aching head between his hands.
+When Pratt had finished, he looked up quietly. "It is good of you to
+take all this trouble," he said, "but I cannot come back to Mrs
+Gabriel. Even if she loved, instead of hating me, I could not come back
+on those terms. I can never marry Sybil either. Do you think that I
+would let her become my wife, knowing who I am? Your sins must be
+visited on me, Pratt--I can't call you father. You say you are my
+father, and you declare that you can prove it. When you are in London I
+expect you to do so. Let me know your address, and I'll come up. But for
+the moment I assume that you are speaking the truth. In that case there
+is nothing for me to do but to go to South Africa and seek a soldier's
+death. I would rather die than marry Sybil now."
+
+"Don't talk like that, Leo," said Pratt, much moved, and wincing at the
+contempt of the young man. "I am not so bad as you think. I have done
+many a kind action. I can--"
+
+"Oh, don't defend yourself," said Leo, rising to go. "I must get away by
+the same way I came. I shall say nothing, but I hope you will be out of
+Colester by to-morrow night. Marton leaves in the morning, so the coast
+will be clear. I'm going now, and I hope to hear from you, so that you
+may give me proof of the truth of this story."
+
+"You don't believe me?"
+
+"I do--in a way. It seems to be true. You say so, and Mrs Gabriel also.
+I suppose I am your son. But I am hoping against hope that you may not
+be able to prove the truth."
+
+"Leo," said Pratt, following him to the window, "I am your father, and
+if you intend to leave Sybil you may as well come with me. I can go with
+you to South America, and there I can lead a new life. I am rich in
+spite of losing The Nun's House. I have a belt of jewels!--thousands of
+pounds of the most valuable--"
+
+"And all stolen," cried Leo, thrusting him back in disgust. "For God's
+sake don't speak to me any more, or I shall forget that you are my
+father! If you only knew how I loathe myself for being your son! I never
+thought it would come to this. Let me go--let me go!" and Leo, pulling
+his arm from the grasp of Pratt, rushed out on to the terrace.
+
+In another ten minutes Mrs Gabriel re-entered. She found Pratt with his
+head buried in his arms, sobbing like a child. At the sight she burst
+out laughing. Then she locked the window Leo had left open.
+
+"Get to bed, Pratt," she said, contemptuously, "and pleasant dreams to
+you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+SYBIL'S VISITOR
+
+
+Leo had never felt so wretched in his life as he did the next day.
+Seeing that he was greatly disturbed, Marton wished to learn the reason.
+As Haverleigh had promised to keep secret the presence of his father at
+the castle, he was obliged to evade a direct answer.
+
+"I saw Mrs Gabriel," he said quietly. "We had a long conversation, and
+she told me what she had said to the vicar."
+
+"Is it a serious matter?" asked the detective.
+
+"Serious enough to prevent my marriage," replied Leo; "but what it is I
+do not feel called upon to explain. It concerns myself and no one else.
+If you could help me, Marton, I should tell you, but you cannot--no one
+can. I don't think there is any more to be said."
+
+Seeing the young man thus determined, Marton said no more, as he did not
+wish to force Leo's confidence. The next morning he took his departure,
+assuring Haverleigh that he was always at his disposal when wanted.
+"Depend upon it," he said, as he took leave, "you are not yet done with
+Mrs Gabriel. She will get you into more trouble. When she does, write to
+that address."
+
+"Thank you, Marton; should I require your assistance I will write."
+
+The two men parted, Marton to London, and Leo back to the inn. He was
+very miserable, the more so as he had to avoid the society of Sybil.
+Knowing what he did, it was impossible for him to talk of love to her.
+He felt that he had no right to do so--that he was gaining her
+affections wrongly. Sooner or later he would have to leave her, but he
+did not wish to break away abruptly. Little by little he hoped to
+withdraw himself from her presence, and thus the final separation would
+be more easy. All the next day he wandered alone on the moor, where
+there was no chance of meeting with Sybil. The morning afterwards he
+received a note from Mrs Gabriel stating that a certain person had taken
+his departure, Leo was then in a fever of anxiety lest the person should
+be captured.
+
+However, he learned within twenty-four hours that there was no need to
+worry. An unsigned telegram came from London, intimating that the sender
+was in safety, and would communicate with him when the time was ripe.
+Leo took this to mean that Pratt could not easily get at the papers
+verifying his story, owing to the vigilance exercised by the police, who
+were on the look-out for him. Leo therefore possessed his soul in
+patience until such time as all should be made clear.
+
+Meantime, as he told Pratt, he was hoping against hope that the story
+was not true. Certainly Pratt had spoken in what appeared to be a most
+truthful way, he had exhibited an emotion he would scarcely have given
+way to had he been telling a falsehood. But Haverleigh knew what an
+actor the man was, and, until proof was forthcoming, still cherished a
+hope that a comedy had been acted for some reason best known to Pratt
+himself. That is, it was a comedy to Pratt; but to Leo Haverleigh it
+approached perilously near to tragedy. Afterwards, looking back on the
+agony of those few days, he wondered that he had not killed himself in
+sheer despair.
+
+But he could not remain in the same place with Sybil without feeling an
+overwhelming desire to tell her the whole story, and thus put an end to
+an impossible situation. Once she knew the truth, that he was the son of
+a criminal, she would see that a marriage was out of the question. Leo
+was quite certain that she would still love him, and, after all, he was
+not responsible for the sins of his father. But for the sake of Mr
+Tempest, she could not marry him, nor--as he assured himself--would he
+ask her to do so. Two or three times he was on the point of seeking her
+out and revealing all; but a feeling of the grief he would cause her
+made him change his determination. He resolved finally to leave her in a
+fool's paradise until he had proof from Pratt of the supposed paternity.
+But to be near her and not speak to her was unbearable. So he sent a
+note saying he was called away for a few days on business, and went to
+Portfront. Here he remained waiting to hear from Pratt. And no man could
+have been more miserable, a mood scarcely to be wondered at considering
+the provocation.
+
+Meantime, Colester society had been much exercised over the discovery of
+Leo's innocence and the supposed delinquency of Pratt. Certainly, as
+Haverleigh and Mrs Gabriel knew, Pratt had generously taken on his own
+shoulders the blame which had wrongfully rested on those of the young
+man. But no one else knew this, and even if Pratt had come forward and
+told the truth, no one would have believed him. He had been so clearly
+proved to be a thief, and the scandal concerning the stolen goods in The
+Nun's House was so great, that there was no ill deed with which the
+villagers and gentry of Colester were not prepared to credit him. Mrs
+Bathurst was particularly virulent in her denunciations of the rascal.
+
+"But I always knew that he was a bad lot," said Mrs Bathurst. "Did I not
+say it was incredible that a wealthy man should come down to pass his
+days in a dull place like Colester? How lucky it is that we found out
+his wickedness, thanks to that dear Mr Marton, who is, I am sure, a
+perfect gentleman, in spite of his being a police officer. I shall
+always look upon him as having saved Peggy. The creature," so she always
+called her former favourite, "wanted to marry Peggy. I saw it in his
+eye. Perhaps I might have yielded, and then what would have happened? I
+should have had a Jack the Ripper in the family!"
+
+"Oh! scarcely as bad as that, Mrs Bathurst," said Raston, to whom she
+was speaking. "Pratt was never a murderer."
+
+"How do you know that, Mr Raston? For my part, I believe he was capable
+of the most terrible crimes. If he had married Peggy! The very idea
+makes me shudder. But the dear child has escaped the snares of evil, and
+I hope to see her shortly the wife of a good man," here Mrs Bathurst
+cast a look on her companion.
+
+Raston smiled. He knew perfectly well what she meant. Failing the
+wealthy Pratt, who had been proved a scoundrel, the humble curate had a
+chance of becoming Mrs Bathurst's son-in-law. And Raston was not
+unwilling. He loved Peggy and she loved him. They understood one
+another, and had done so for some time. Never would Peggy have married
+Pratt had he asked her a dozen times. But, as she had told Raston, the
+man had never intended to propose. Knowing this, Raston was glad to see
+that Mrs Bathurst was not disinclined to accept him as a suitor for her
+daughter. He then and there struck the iron while it was hot.
+
+"I do not know if I am a very good man, Mrs Bathurst," he said, still
+smiling, "but if you think me good enough for Peggy, I shall be more
+than satisfied. I have the curacy and three hundred a year. My family
+you know all about, and I suppose you have formed your own conclusions
+as to the merits of my personality. I am not likely to turn out a
+criminal like Pratt, you know."
+
+"Really, Mr Raston, you take my breath away," said Mrs Bathurst, quite
+equal to the occasion. "I never suspected that you loved Peggy. Still,
+if such is the case, and she loves you, and you are prepared to insure
+your life in case you die unexpectedly, I do not mind your marrying
+her. She is a dear girl and will make you an excellent wife."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs Bathurst. Then I may see Peggy now."
+
+"She is in the garden, Harold." Mrs Bathurst had long since informed
+herself of the curate's Christian name, so as to be prepared for an
+emergency of this sort. "Go to her and take with you a mother's
+blessing."
+
+Thus burdened, Raston sought out Peggy, and then and there told her that
+all was well. They could love one another without let or hindrance. The
+engagement had been sanctioned officially by Mrs Bathurst. Peggy laughed
+consumedly when Raston related the pretty little comedy played by her
+mother. "She must think you a donkey, Harold," she said. "Mother thinks
+everyone is as blind as herself."
+
+"Mrs Bathurst fancies herself very wide awake, my dear."
+
+"Those who are particularly blind always do, Harold."
+
+Then they began to talk of their future, of the probability of Sybil
+becoming the wife of Leo, and the chances of Mrs Gabriel taking the
+young man again to her castle. From one subject to another they passed
+on until Peggy made an observation about Pearl. "She is out and about, I
+see," said Peggy, "but she still looks thin."
+
+"And no wonder. Her illness has been a severe one. But she will soon put
+on flesh and regain her colour. She is always wandering on the moor,
+and the winds there will do more to restore her to health than all the
+drugs in the pharmacopoeia of James."
+
+"Why does she go on the moor?" said Peggy. "I thought it was the chapel
+she was fond of sitting in."
+
+"Ah! She has changed all that," said Raston, sadly. "It seems--I think I
+told you this before--that Mrs Jeal told her some horrible Calvinistic
+doctrine, and poor Pearl thinks she is lost eternally. It was her idea
+that the cup was given into her charge, and now she believes that the
+Master has taken it from her because she is not good enough to be the
+custodian."
+
+"Poor girl!" said Peggy, sympathetically. "But I thought, Harold, that
+she believed the cup had been taken up to Heaven for the Supper of the
+Master?"
+
+"She did believe that till Mrs Jeal upset her mind anew. Now she thinks
+she is lost, and I can't get the terrible idea out of her head. She is
+like a lost thing wandering about the moor. Only one cure is possible."
+
+"What is that, Harold?"
+
+"The cup must be restored to the altar she has built."
+
+"An altar! Has she built one?"
+
+"I followed her on to the moor the other day, wishing to calm her mind.
+Some distance away, in the centre of the heather, she has erected an
+altar of turf, and she told me that if the Master forgave her He would
+replace the cup which He had taken from her on that altar. She goes
+there every day to see if the cup has returned. If it did, I believe
+she would again be her old happy self."
+
+"But there is no chance of the cup being returned."
+
+"No," said Raston, a trifle grimly; "Pratt has got it again in his
+possession, and he will not let it go. Save for Pearl, I do not think it
+matters much. We could never again use it for the service of the chapel.
+A cup that has been stolen cannot be put to sacred uses."
+
+"Do you think it was stolen?"
+
+"I am certain of it. Everything belonging to that man was stolen. What a
+pity, Peggy, that such a clever fellow should use his talents for such a
+bad purpose."
+
+"A great pity. I liked Mr Pratt, and even now, although he is such a
+wretch, I can't help feeling sorry for him."
+
+"So do I, Peggy. There was good in Pratt. Let us hope he will repent.
+But now, darling, don't let us talk more of him. He has gone, and will
+never come back. What about the wedding-day?"
+
+"Oh, Harold!" began Peggy, and blushed. After this the conversation
+became too personal to be reported. It is sufficient to say that the
+wedding-day was fixed for two months later.
+
+While all these discoveries in connections with Pratt were being made in
+Colester, events which had to do with Sybil's advertisement had happened
+which prevented her keeping it any longer a secret from her father. She
+put off telling him till the very last moment, but when one day a London
+visitor arrived she was forced to speak out. A card inscribed with the
+name "Lord Kilspindie" was brought to her, and on the back of it was a
+pencilled note hinting that the gentleman had called about the
+advertisement. Sybil ordered that he should be shown into the
+drawing-room, and went to her father's study. The vicar was preparing
+his sermon, and looked up ill-pleased at the interruption.
+
+"What is it, Sybil?" he asked. "I am busy."
+
+"Please forgive me for interrupting you, father," she replied, coming to
+the desk and putting her arm round his neck, "but I have something to
+tell you, something to confess."
+
+"You have been doing nothing wrong, I hope," said Tempest, suspiciously.
+
+"I don't think it is wrong, save in one particular. That advertisement!
+It was I who put it into the papers."
+
+"Sybil! And you never told me!" The vicar was annoyed. At the same time
+he felt relieved that it was nothing worse. He fancied that she might be
+about to confess that she had married Leo.
+
+"It was no use telling you until something came of it, father," replied
+Sybil, calmly, "so do not be angry. Now that the whole mystery has been
+cleared up, the advertisement is useless. But I received one answer to
+it. A gentleman called Lord Kilspindie wrote to me at the post-office as
+'S. T.,' asking to see me about the cup. He had something serious to say
+about it. I was curious--I think you would have been curious yourself,
+father--so I wrote, and, giving my real name and address, asked him to
+come down here. He is now in the drawing-room."
+
+Tempest rose to his feet, looking vexed. "Lord Kilspindie in the
+drawing-room, and I only know of the matter now. Really, Sybil, you have
+behaved very badly. What does he want?"
+
+"To tell us something about the cup, I suppose," said Sybil. "Do you
+know Lord Kilspindie, father?"
+
+"No more than that he is a border lord and a wealthy man. I believe he
+has a splendid and famous castle near the Tweed. Sybil, you should have
+told me."
+
+"I am sorry, but I didn't think it was worth while until he came. You
+are not angry, father. I have done nothing so very bad, and it was my
+eagerness about Leo that made me take up the matter."
+
+"You offered a reward of fifty pounds! How is that to be paid?"
+
+Sybil laughed. "I don't think there will be any question of reward with
+Lord Kilspindie," she said. "Besides, he has not brought the cup. You
+know that Mr Pratt has it, and is likely to keep it. Come, father,
+forgive me, and let us see Lord Kilspindie. I am filled with curiosity."
+
+"You are a wicked girl," said the vicar, indulgently, and gave her a
+kiss. "If you do this again--"
+
+"I never will, father--unless Leo is again in danger."
+
+The vicar sighed. His conscience pricked him about Leo, and he did not
+know how to act towards making amendment. Certainly if he gave his
+consent to the marriage Leo would be more than repaid for the ill
+thoughts entertained about him. But Tempest was filled with pride of
+race, and could not bring himself to give his beautiful daughter to a
+nameless man. However, he could not consider the matter now, since his
+illustrious visitor was waiting in the drawing room, so with Sybil he
+went to greet him.
+
+"Miss Tempest?" said Lord Kilspindie, coming forward, with a look of
+admiration at the beautiful girl before him, "and you, sir?"
+
+Sybil allowed her father to speak, as was right and proper. "I am the
+vicar of this place, Lord Kilspindie," said Tempest, politely, "and this
+is my daughter. It was she who put the advertisement in the paper. I
+presume that it is to that we owe the pleasure of your company."
+
+"That and nothing else," said Lord Kilspindie, taking the seat pointed
+out to him by the vicar. "I have been looking for that cup for over
+twenty years. It is not in your possession?"
+
+"It was for a few weeks," replied the vicar, who was very curious. "I
+had better tell you the whole story, and then you can judge for
+yourself."
+
+"If you will be so kind," replied Lord Kilspindie, courteously.
+
+He listened attentively while Mr Tempest narrated all the events in
+connection with the cup from the time Pratt had arrived in Colester. The
+story was a strange one, and the visitor was much interested. However,
+he did not offer one interruption. Sybil watched him the meanwhile.
+
+He was a tall, grey-haired man of over sixty, but still vigorous and
+straight. His face was lined, however, as though he had undergone much
+trouble. He had a soldierly look about him, and all the time the vicar
+was speaking tugged at a long grey moustache, the only hair he wore on
+his face. Sybil thought of the line in the "Ancient Mariner" about long
+and lean and brown as the seashore sand (she could not quite recall the
+quotation), but to her it described Kilspindie perfectly. He was rather
+sad-looking, and his quiet grey eyes looked as though he had known
+bitter trouble. And indeed he had. Sybil learned that later.
+
+"A very interesting story," he said politely when Mr Tempest had
+finished, "but disappointing in its ending. You say this man Pratt has
+now the cup in his possession?"
+
+"He confessed as much, my lord, in a letter to the detective in charge
+of the case. It is a pity he has escaped with it."
+
+"A great pity," responded the other. "I suppose there is no chance of
+his being captured?"
+
+"From what Mr Marton said I should think not," put in Sybil. "He says
+that Pratt has baffled all the cleverest detectives in England for a
+great number of years."
+
+Kilspindie sighed. "No chance of getting it back," he murmured; "and the
+luck will still be bad."
+
+"The luck!" echoed Sybil, catching the word.
+
+"You will think me superstitious," he said, with a smile; "but the fact
+is that the cup is said to be a fairy gift, and has been in our family
+for generations. The luck of the family goes with the cup."
+
+"Like the luck of Edenhall!" said Sybil, remembering Longfellow's poem.
+
+"Precisely," responded Kilspindie. "The legend is a curious one. I must
+tell it to you some time. Of course my opinion is that the cup is of
+Roman manufacture. I recognised it from its description, and especially
+from the Latin motto you set down in the advertisement. I think that
+goblet was dedicated to Bacchus, and was probably lost by some Roman
+general when Scotland was invaded by the Caesars."
+
+All this time Mr Tempest was trying to recover from the horror of his
+thoughts. "A pagan cup!" he gasped, "and a stolen cup! Oh, my lord, and
+it was used as a communion cup. Pratt said that he had brought it from
+Italy, where it was so used by the Romish Church. I thought it was
+sanctified by such a use, and did not hesitate to put it again on the
+altar. I really don't know what to say. It is like sacrilege."
+
+"I am sorry, Mr Tempest. But the cup has been at Kilspindie Castle for
+five hundred years. It never was used in the service of the Church. Over
+twenty years ago it was stolen by a woman."
+
+"By a woman," echoed Sybil. She had quite expected to hear Pratt's
+name.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+LORD KILSPINDIE EXPLAINS
+
+
+"Before you begin your story, my lord," said the vicar, "will you please
+inform me how you came to know of the loss of the cup?"
+
+"I have already done so, Mr Tempest. I saw the advertisement offering a
+reward for its recovery. The description and the quotation of the Latin
+motto were sufficient to show me that it was my heirloom. I wrote to the
+office of the paper, and afterwards received a letter from Miss Tempest,
+here, asking me to call. I have taken up my abode at the inn, as I may
+stay here for a few days. I want to know all I can about the matter. If
+I can only trace and recover the cup through your agency I shall be
+eternally your debtor."
+
+"I cannot tell you more than I have related," replied the vicar. "This
+man Pratt took back the cup, and is now in London--where, no one knows.
+I fear the cup is as lost as though it had been swallowed up by the
+ocean!"
+
+"It is enough that I know in whose possession it is," said Kilspindie,
+with determination. "In some way or another I shall find this man. For I
+may tell you, Mr Tempest, that, besides the recovery of a family
+treasure, I have another and more important object in view--the recovery
+of my son, who was stolen from me at the time the cup disappeared."
+
+Tempest expressed much astonishment at this information, and Sybil
+opened her eyes wide. She had never thought that her attempt to clear
+the character of her lover would lead to such a result. Neither she nor
+her father knew what to say, and, seeing them silent, Lord Kilspindie
+continued to speak.
+
+"How the cup came into the possession of this man I cannot say. It was
+taken from the castle by a nurse called Janet Grant, who also carried
+away the child."
+
+"Why did she do that?" asked Sybil, horrified.
+
+"Out of revenge for a fancied slight she received from my wife," replied
+Kilspindie, with a sigh; "but it is best I should tell you all from the
+beginning. First, you must know the legend of the cup, that you may
+understand the value we Grants attach to its possession."
+
+"I am fond of folk-lore," murmured the vicar, settling himself down for
+a pleasant half-hour. "Your family name is Grant, then, my lord?"
+
+"Yes. Our title is Kilspindie, an earldom. My son who was stolen--my
+only son and only child, alas!--is Lord Morven, if he be still alive.
+But who knows if I shall ever see him again?"
+
+"Hope for the best," said the vicar, gently. "God is over all!"
+
+"You are right, Mr Tempest. But how many weary years have I waited, and
+have had to comfort myself in that fashion. Now, when I had lost all
+hope, the advertisement roused it again. If I find the cup I may
+discover my boy, or, at all events, I may find out if he is alive or
+dead."
+
+"I am sure he is alive," said Sybil, impulsively. "Dear Lord Kilspindie,
+if there was no chance of your finding him I should not have been guided
+to put in that advertisement. It was entirely my own doing, and had I
+consulted with my father it would never have appeared."
+
+"It certainly would not," said the vicar, promptly. "I had placed the
+matter in the hands of Mr Marton, and I was angry when I saw the
+advertisement--very angry, indeed."
+
+"You must not be angry any more, Mr Tempest," said Kilspindie, with a
+smile, "seeing that it may lead to the discovery of my son. I owe much
+to Miss Tempest's indiscretion, as you no doubt call it."
+
+"No," said Sybil, resolutely; "I am sure papa does not call it that. I
+did it to help Leo, and I would do it again. But tell us the legend,
+Lord Kilspindie."
+
+The old man laughed. "If you have not the imagination of the Celt you
+will think it but a poor thing," he said. "In the days of Bruce, and on
+the Border, Nigel Grant, the head of the clan--my ancestor, Mr
+Tempest--was riding home from a foray against the English. He had been
+successful, and had collected a large mob of cattle, which were being
+driven to the castle by his followers. He was anxious to get home, for
+when he had left, two weeks previously, his wife was expected to give
+birth to a child. The chief eagerly desired that it might be a boy, for
+he had few relatives, and those he had were his bitterest enemies."
+
+"What!" said Tempest, "and the Scotch so clannish?"
+
+"They are more clannish in the Highlands than on the Border," replied
+the old lord. "Many of the Border families fought with one another. My
+clan did also for many a long day, although they are friendly enough
+now. However, you know the reason that Nigel Grant was so eager for an
+heir."
+
+"Wouldn't a girl have done?" asked Sybil mischievously.
+
+"By no means. The chief wanted a brave boy, to bestride a horse and
+wield a sword, and govern the unruly Grant clan with a strong hand. He
+had prayed to the Virgin to give him his heart's desire--they were all
+Roman Catholics in those days, remember. So you may guess he rode home
+at top speed, and as he neared the castle he was far in advance of his
+followers and alone. And then came the fairies."
+
+"The fairies!" echoed Sybil. "This is interesting," and she laughed.
+
+"We call them the Good Neighbours in Scotland, you know, because the
+fairies don't like to be talked about with disrespect. But to go on with
+my story. Nigel Grant was on a wide moor all alone, although the lances
+of his men-at-arms glittered on the verge of the horizon. Suddenly--from
+the viewless air, apparently, since there was no rock or tree or shelter
+of any kind--there appeared a small woman dressed in green, with a
+golden crown. At the sight of her the chief's horse stopped all at
+once, as though stricken into stone. The fairy queen--for it was she,
+the same, I suppose, who appeared to Thomas the Rhymer."
+
+"Ah! _she_ was mounted on a horse!" said Sybil, half to herself.
+
+"Indeed? Well, this queen was on foot, and in her arms she carried a
+child. Stopping before Nigel, she placed the child on his saddle-bow,
+and told him to take it home for a year and a day. 'If it returns to us
+safe and sound,' she continued, 'great good fortune will befall the
+Grants. But if anything wrong is done to it, then will sorrow come.' So
+speaking she vanished, and the horse, suddenly regaining motion,
+galloped home to the castle, bearing the amazed chief with his child in
+his arms."
+
+"His child, my lord?" asked the vicar, smiling.
+
+"It had to be his child for a year and a day. He found that during his
+absence his wife had given birth to a fine boy, but that a day or so
+after it was born the cradle was found empty. Lady Grant was in a great
+state of terror, as you may imagine. When the chief told his story she
+declared that her child had been carried off by the Good Neighbours. It
+was her wish to kill the changeling. But this the chief, mindful of the
+prophecy, would not permit. It was supposed that the fairy child
+required to be nursed by a mortal woman, and this was why the chief's
+boy had been carried away."
+
+"I never heard that version of the old story before," said Tempest.
+
+"No? It is usually said that the fairies want the child for themselves.
+But in this story what I have told you was believed. Lady Grant, hoping
+to get back her own child in a year and a day, nursed the changeling. It
+was a peevish, cross, whimpering creature, and marvellously ugly. But
+when she fed it with her milk it grew fat and strong, and became
+good-tempered.
+
+"On the night when the year and a day were up, there was heard the sound
+of galloping horses round the castle. A wind swept into the rooms and
+down the corridors. Everyone in the castle fell into a magic sleep. But
+in the morning the true child was found smiling in his cradle and the
+fairy changeling was gone. In the cradle also was the cup I am seeking,
+and a scroll saying that while it was kept in the family no ill would
+befall, but that if lost the line would be in danger of extinction."
+
+"And did the prophecy ever come true?" asked Sybil.
+
+"Twice," replied Kilspindie, with the most profound conviction. "In the
+reign of the first James of Scotland the cup was stolen, and three
+brothers of the chief were slain in battle. Only the child of one of
+them lived, for the chief had no family. Then the cup was brought
+back--I could tell you how, but the story is too long--and the child was
+spared to become the father of a large family."
+
+"And the second time?" asked Tempest, wondering how much of this wild
+tale the old lord believed.
+
+"The second time was in the reign of Henry VIII. The castle was sacked
+and the cup taken. All the family were killed, but the nurse managed to
+save one child, with whom she fled. After a series of adventures the cup
+was restored and the child regained his inheritance."
+
+"How strange!" said Sybil. "And now that the cup is lost again?"
+
+Kilspindie smiled. "Well, you see, Miss Tempest, I have but one son and
+he is lost. If I do not find him the title and estates must go to a
+distant cousin, and the prophecy of the fairies will be fulfilled. That
+is why I am so anxious to get the cup. If I can find it and bring it
+back to Kilspindie Castle, I am certain that I shall find my boy."
+
+"A wild story," said the vicar, after a pause. "There is oftentimes a
+grain of truth in these folktales. But tell me, how came it that the cup
+was stolen the third time?"
+
+"I am about to tell you," replied the visitor. "There was a woman called
+Janet Grant, the daughter of one of my tenants. She was in service at my
+place, but after some years she became weary of the dull life. We are
+not very lively up in the north," said Kilspindie, with a laugh.
+"However, this woman got tired and went up to London. There, I believe,
+she obtained a situation, but what her life was while absent I do not
+know. She was always reticent on the point. After six years she
+returned. In the interval I had married, and at the time Janet returned,
+or a year before, my wife became a mother. I was the father of a
+splendid boy, my son and heir, Lord Morven. Janet was taken back into
+my service as an under nurse, for she was a very capable woman."
+
+"Had she a good temper?" asked Sybil, guessing what was coming.
+
+"One of the worst tempers in the world. Also she was evil in her
+disposition. Had I known then what was told to me afterwards by the
+other servants, she should never have re-entered my service. But they
+were all afraid of Janet and her wicked ways, and therefore remained
+silent when it was their duty to speak out. When the boy was two years
+of age, or it may be a trifle over, the head nurse died. Janet expected
+to succeed, but my wife appointed another woman."
+
+"She did not trust Janet," hinted the vicar.
+
+"No. By this time Janet was not so careful in her behaviour, and my wife
+began to suspect her true character. Janet was very angry at the
+slight--as she called it--and swore she would be revenged. Of course,
+she knew the legend of the cup, so it struck her, no doubt, that if she
+stole the cup the usual disaster would follow."
+
+"What superstition!" murmured Mr Tempest.
+
+"Well, I don't know, sir," said Kilspindie, quietly. "You see, Mr
+Tempest, we had chapter and verse for what might happen. However, Janet,
+out of revenge, took away the child and stole the cup. She had no
+difficulty in doing either. The cup was placed in the picture gallery
+under a glass shade, for no one ever expected that it would be stolen.
+It was not guarded so carefully as it should have been. But who would
+have thought that any one of my faithful servants would steal? As to the
+child, Janet was one day sent out with him. The head nurse remained at
+home. I believe she then took the cup with her. At all events she never
+returned, and when a search was made both the child and the cup were
+missing." Here Lord Kilspindie stopped and shook his head.
+
+"What happened after that?" asked Sybil, curiously.
+
+"There is no more to tell, Miss Tempest. The woman vanished utterly with
+the child and the cup. My wife, poor soul, died of grief. I employed all
+manner of means to find the woman, but without result. I even offered a
+reward and a pardon if she would bring back what she had taken. But she
+gave no sign of her existence. Well"--Kilspindie sighed--"that is all. I
+have been a lonely man for over twenty years, and things have gone wrong
+with me in every way. I am certain that prosperity will not return to me
+and mine until the cup is brought back. Then I may hope to recover my
+son. You can understand now how anxious I am to find this man Pratt. I
+would willingly pardon him all if he would give back the cup."
+
+"I wonder how he became possessed of it?" said Tempest.
+
+"Ah!" said Kilspindie, "that is what we must find out. He seems to be an
+accomplished thief, so it may be that he stole the cup. On the other
+hand, Janet, finding herself hard up, may have pawned it, and Pratt may
+have got it into his possession in that way. You tell me that he has a
+love for beautiful things."
+
+"Such a love," said the vicar, sadly, "that he is willing to be a thief
+to obtain them. Well, my lord, at present I do not see how we can help
+you."
+
+"There is one way," said Kilspindie, after a pause. "Give me a letter to
+this Mr Marton, and with his aid I may succeed in tracing Pratt. In the
+meantime I intend to wait here for a few days. At my age I am not able
+to get about so rapidly as I once did."
+
+The man did indeed look old and worn-out. But he was a fine, courtly
+gentleman of what is called the old school, and Sybil was quite
+fascinated with him. After some further conversation it was arranged
+that he should remain at the inn until the end of the week--it was now
+Wednesday--and that afterwards the vicar should accompany him to London
+to introduce him personally to Marton. Leaving her father and Kilspindie
+together, Sybil went to her room to think over the strange episode which
+was the outcome of her advertisement.
+
+She was anxious to tell Leo all about it, but he was at Portfront, and
+she had received no letter from him. Sybil wondered at this, as it was
+not like Leo to neglect her. For the moment she was inclined to drive to
+Portfront and see him. He had given her no reason for his departure, and
+she was becoming anxious about him. Mrs Gabriel still remained in
+seclusion, and, so far as Sybil knew, Leo had never been to see her. It
+was therefore no use talking to Mrs Gabriel about the man she had so
+cruelly cast off. Her father she could not appeal to because, although
+he wished to make amends to Leo for his unjust suspicions, he did not
+wish him to marry her, and would therefore do nothing likely to bring
+them together. In this dilemma it struck Sybil that she might see
+Raston; he was a kindly creature, and all through the dark day had
+believed in Haverleigh's innocence. She thought that Raston might be
+induced to bring Leo back from Portfront, so Sybil put on her hat and
+sought out the curate. He was at home and delighted to see her.
+
+"This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Tempest," he said, wheeling the
+armchair forward. "I hope there is nothing wrong."
+
+"Why should there be anything wrong?" asked Sybil, smiling.
+
+Raston passed his hand across his forehead with a troubled air. "This
+fact is I do not feel well this morning," he said. "I have received a
+letter from Town which has worried me. But do not let me inflict my
+troubles on you, Miss Tempest. What can I do?"
+
+"I'll tell you, Mr Raston. But, first of all, you must promise to keep
+all I tell you a secret. I don't think I am breaking confidence in
+saying what is in my mind, as I gave no promise of secrecy. But I must
+tell you all, as you are the only person who can advise me."
+
+"I promise to keep your secret, whatever it may be, Miss Tempest."
+
+"Then listen to the latest information about the cup," said Sybil, and
+forthwith related to Raston the news of Lord Kilspindie's arrival, and
+how he had been brought to Colester by means of the advertisement.
+Having made this preliminary explanation, she related the story which
+had been told to her father and herself. As no promise of secrecy had
+been given, Sybil did not think she was doing wrong; and, besides, it
+was necessary for Raston to know all the details before he could help
+her to bring Leo back. Finally, she had the utmost confidence in the
+curate's silence.
+
+"It is a most extraordinary story," he said, when she had finished; "and
+more curious still--" here he stopped short and considered. "I can tell
+you what is in my mind later," he said; "at present you must let me know
+in what way I can serve you."
+
+"I want you to help me with Leo," said Sybil, promptly. "For some reason
+he has gone to Portfront and is stopping there. I would go over myself
+and bring him back, but I am afraid of offending my father. I want Leo
+to be introduced to Lord Kilspindie."
+
+"For what reason, Miss Tempest?"
+
+Sybil looked at the ground, and began to draw diagrams with a dainty
+shoe. "Well, Mr Raston, you know that I want to marry Leo," she said,
+with a blush, "and at present there are so many obstacles to our
+engagement. My father is not so just towards Leo as he should be. I
+suppose this is because he is poor and has no prospects. If he enlists
+and goes to the war, I do not see how that will bring us together. Even
+if he gets a commission I cannot marry him. There will not be enough
+money. Now, I thought that as I had done something to bring Lord
+Kilspindie a chance of getting back the cup, he might be induced to do
+something for myself and Leo."
+
+"Something might come of it, certainly, Miss Tempest."
+
+"I am sure Lord Kilspindie is very kind," she said in a feminine way.
+"He looks kind. Leo has delightful manners, as you know, Mr Raston. He
+is clever in his own way and well educated. Lord Kilspindie might take a
+fancy to him and make him a secretary or something. At all events, he
+might put him in the way of earning money, for I am sure that Lord
+Kilspindie has power as well as wealth."
+
+"Then you want Leo to come back and meet him?"
+
+"Yes. You must tell him all I have told you, and say that if he loves me
+he must come back at once."
+
+"I shall do what you say, Miss Tempest, and if I can induce Leo to
+return he certainly shall. I do not know why he went to Portfront. His
+name was cleared, and he need have had no hesitation in remaining at
+Colester."
+
+"I'm sure I don't know what is the matter with him," said Sybil, with a
+sigh; "he has been so strange lately. I am sure he is keeping something
+from me. But if I get him to myself I'll find out what it is. But you
+_will_ go to Portfront, Mr Raston?"
+
+"Yes. This afternoon. In fact, I was going that way in any case, Miss
+Tempest, as I intend to journey to London."
+
+"Why are you going to London?" asked Sybil in surprise. She knew that
+Raston rarely went to the great city.
+
+The curate hesitated again and rubbed his hair in a distracted way. "I
+would rather you did not ask me, Miss Tempest," he said at length. "I am
+going to London in answer to a letter. I hope to be back on Saturday. I
+have to preach on Sunday, as you know. The vicar said something about
+taking a service at Portfront."
+
+"As Lord Kilspindie will be at church on Sunday," said Sybil, "I think
+papa will stay. He looks upon Lord Kilspindie as his guest."
+
+"Well, in any case I'll be back," said the curate, with a nod; "then I
+shall be able to tell you the reason I had to go. In the meantime, Miss
+Tempest, I wish you would see Pearl Darry occasionally. She goes
+wandering about the moor lamenting her lost soul, poor creature. I have
+been with her a good deal, but while I am away she may do something
+desperate. You see her, Miss Tempest, and persuade her that she is under
+the care of the Master."
+
+"I'll do my best," replied Sybil; "but I am afraid I am not good enough
+to preach, Mr Raston. What a shame of Mrs Jeal to put these ideas into
+the girl's head! She knew that Pearl was not sane, and to make her think
+such things was downright dangerous."
+
+"I know." Raston sighed. "If we could only get back the cup, Pearl would
+be satisfied that the Master is pleased with her and has taken her into
+favour again. Then she would recover her old faith in the goodness and
+love of God which Mrs Jeal, with the best intentions, no doubt, has
+destroyed. I cannot think Mrs Jeal is a good woman."
+
+"I am sure she is a very bad one," said Sybil, emphatically. "However,
+I'll do as you wish, Mr Raston. Good-day. A pleasant journey," and she
+departed.
+
+The curate took out a letter, glanced at it, shook his head. He was
+puzzled by the communication, and knew not what to make of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A MIRACLE
+
+
+That same afternoon Raston notified the vicar that he was going for a
+few days to London. On the understanding that the young man would be
+back for morning service on Sunday, the vicar readily consented that he
+should go. Raston forthwith packed his bag, and driving to Portfront
+stayed there the night. But for Sybil's message he would have waited
+until the next day, and have gone directly to London without pausing on
+the way. However, he wished to have a talk with Leo, both on account of
+Sybil's message and because he wanted to consult with the young man
+about the letter which worried him. This entailed a long conversation,
+so Raston put up at the hotel at which Leo was staying, and sent a
+message that he wanted to see Mr Haverleigh.
+
+Leo made his appearance, looking haggard and worried, and very much
+unlike his usual self. He seemed nervous on seeing Raston, and hurriedly
+approached him as though he expected to hear bad news. The events of the
+last few weeks had shaken Leo's nerves, and he was prepared for any
+calamity--even to hear that Pratt had been arrested. Something of the
+sort he expected to hear now.
+
+"Hullo, Raston!" he cried, with an affectation of brightness. "What
+brings you here?"
+
+"I am on my way to London," said Raston, shaking hands in a friendly
+fashion, "and I am staying here for the night, as I want to have a long
+talk with you."
+
+"Very glad," replied Leo, mechanically. Then after a pause he raised his
+head. "There is no bad news, I trust?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"By no means. My news is good."
+
+"Then it cannot concern me," said Leo, bitterly. "No good news ever
+comes my way now. What is it?"
+
+"I'll tell you after dinner."
+
+"No; tell me now! I can't wait. I am so anxious and worried that my mind
+cannot bear suspense."
+
+"You brood too much on things," said Raston. "However, the matter is
+very simple. Miss Tempest wants you to return at once to Colester."
+
+"What for? Has her father discovered anything bad about me?"
+
+Raston laughed. "No. You are getting morbid on the subject--the result,
+I suppose, of your late experience of man's injustice. If you will sit
+down I will tell you what she asked me to say. It is a long story."
+
+"An agreeable one, I hope," muttered Leo, dropping dejectedly into a
+chair. "I really cannot bear much more worry without going to chuck
+myself into the water."
+
+"Haverleigh," said the curate, severely, "that is an ungrateful way to
+speak, after the mercy God has shown you. Has he not brought you
+through much tribulation, and set your feet on a rock of safety!"
+
+"Well, there are two answers to that, Raston. However, I'll try and
+behave myself while you tell me what Sybil said."
+
+Raston sighed. Not knowing Leo's worry, he was beginning to think him
+wrong to behave as he did. Still, this was not the time to preach, and,
+unlike most clergymen, Raston knew where to stop. He sat down near Leo
+and related the whole story of Lord Kilspindie and his loss. Then he
+detailed Sybil's idea that Kilspindie might do something for the young
+man. "And if your future is arranged you can then be married."
+
+"I shall never be married, Raston," said Leo, gloomily. "If you
+knew--But I must keep my own counsel. What takes you to London?" he
+asked suddenly. "You are such a home bird that there must be some strong
+reason."
+
+"The very strongest," replied the curate, drawing a letter out of his
+pocket. "But first you must promise to hold your tongue about what I am
+going to tell you."
+
+Leo nodded. "I have too many unpleasant secrets of my own not to keep
+those of others," he said. "Well, what's up?"
+
+"Read this letter from Pratt."
+
+"Pratt!" Haverleigh took the letter hurriedly. "Why, what is he writing
+to you about?" He cast his eyes over the letter. It was to the effect
+that Pratt would be glad to see Raston at a certain place in London to
+speak with him about the cup which had been lost. It asked the curate to
+keep the contents of the letter a secret, or at all events to tell only
+Leo Haverleigh. Also, it warned Raston that if he behaved treacherously,
+and brought down the police on Pratt, that there would be the devil to
+pay. These last words were underlined and shocked the curate. The time
+and place of the appointment were also underlined, and from the way in
+which the meeting was arranged Leo could see that his father had
+contrived to see Raston without running the risk of arrest.
+
+"I wonder what he wants to see you about!" said Leo, handing back the
+letter and speaking uneasily. He fancied that Pratt might be going to
+reveal to Raston the secret of his own paternity.
+
+"About the cup," said Raston, returning the letter to his pocket. "I
+suppose he is about to give it back to us again. Not that it will ever
+be used again for so sacred a purpose. I shall take it and return it to
+Lord Kilspindie. That is only right, as the cup was stolen from him."
+
+"Ah, I forgot! You think that Pratt has the cup?" said Leo.
+
+"He has. Do you not remember the letter he wrote to Marton saying he had
+stolen the cup and again had it in his possession?"
+
+"I remember; but that was one of Pratt's fairy tales."
+
+"How do you know?" asked Raston, astonished. "Has he written to you?"
+
+"No. I have seen him."
+
+"In London?"
+
+"In Colester."
+
+Raston pushed back his chair and stared at his friend. "When did you see
+him in Colester?" he asked, open-mouthed.
+
+"A few days ago." Leo pondered for a moment while Raston stared at him.
+He wondered if it would not be as well to make a confidant of the
+curate, and ask his advice. The secret was rapidly becoming too much for
+him to bear alone. Raston was his friend, a good fellow, and a wise
+young man. Certainly it would be well to confide in him. Leo made up his
+mind. "I have to tell you something that will astonish you. I speak in
+confidence, Raston."
+
+"Anything you tell me will be sacred," replied the curate, with dignity.
+
+Leo nodded, quite satisfied with this assurance. Then he related all
+that had taken place in the castle on that night when he had discovered
+Mrs Gabriel and Pratt in company. Raston fairly gasped with surprise as
+the recital proceeded, and when Leo confessed that Pratt claimed him as
+a son he sprang from his seat.
+
+"I don't believe a word of it!" he cried, bringing his fist down on the
+table. "The man is a vile liar. Whomsoever you may be, Leo, you are
+certainly not the son of this wretch. Can a bad tree bear good fruit?
+No."
+
+"But he can give me proofs."
+
+"He has not done so yet. Let me speak to him, Leo. I may be able to get
+more out of him than you. I am your friend, you know that! so if you
+will place the matter in my hands, I promise to find out the truth
+somehow."
+
+"Well," said Leo, with some hesitation, "I rather thought of coming with
+you to London. Pratt expects me."
+
+"He has not written to that effect," said Raston. "I tell you, Leo, the
+man is dangerous and unscrupulous. The fact that he claims you as his
+son will prevent you dealing freely with him. I can manage him better
+myself. You go back to Colester and Miss Tempest. It is but right that
+you should do what she wishes, as she has held by you in your time of
+trouble. Besides, I quite approve of her wish to introduce you to Lord
+Kilspindie. And if--oh!--" Raston stopped short.
+
+"What's the matter, Raston?"
+
+"Suppose you should be the long-lost son of Lord Kilspindie?"
+
+"Ridiculous!" said Leo, shaking his head and flushing.
+
+"It is no more ridiculous than that you should be the son of a
+thief--or, rather, believe yourself to be so. Why should you believe the
+bad and doubt the good? See here, Leo"--Raston was much excited--"the
+cup was lost along with the child. Pratt has the cup, why should you not
+be the child? The woman who stole both might have died and passed them
+on to Pratt. For his own purposes he says that he is your father."
+
+"I can't believe it, Raston," said Leo, shaking his head.
+
+"Well; disbelieve it if you choose. If the thing is so, what you think
+will not alter it. All I ask is that you should let me represent you at
+this interview. I have to see Pratt on my own account. Let me see him on
+yours."
+
+"Very good, Raston. You can do what you like. I am greatly obliged to
+you for the trouble you are taking."
+
+"Indeed, it is only right, Leo," protested the curate. "I begin to see
+that you have been wronged. I may not be right in my surmise about your
+being the son of Kilspindie. But I am sure that I am correct in saying
+you are not the son of that scoundrel. Now, go back to Colester, hold
+your tongue, and wait till I come back on Saturday."
+
+"I'll do as you wish," said Leo, sadly; "but indeed I have no hope."
+
+"I have," said the curate, emphatically, and the conversation ended.
+
+The next day Raston departed by the steamer to London, _via_ Worthing,
+and Leo returned to his old quarters at the Colester Arms. His meeting
+with the curate had done him good, and although he did not adhere to
+Raston's theory about his noble paternity, yet he felt more cheerful and
+hopeful. He was particular as to his toilet, which, in his despair, he
+had rather neglected of late, and went to the Vicarage. Sybil was away
+with Pearl on the moor, the servant said. Leo would have followed, but
+Mr Tempest caught sight of him, and insisted that he should enter and
+be introduced to Lord Kilspindie. Leo willingly obeyed, as he was
+anxious to see his supposed father according to Raston. He could not
+help smiling when he was presented.
+
+Kilspindie was taken by that smile. He saw before him a singularly
+splendid young man, with a graceful, slender figure and a handsome face,
+but best of all was the kindly look in the eyes. Kilspindie shook hands
+heartily with Leo, and sighed as he thought that his lost son might be
+just such another. Had he known of what Raston and the young man before
+him had talked about on the previous night, he might have been more
+particular in his inquiries, and might perchance have been brought to
+think as Raston did. However, he knew nothing, Leo said nothing, and the
+conversation resolved itself into the common-place. Tempest was kind to
+Leo, Kilspindie was friendly, and the three got on very well.
+
+Meanwhile, Sybil and Pearl were walking across the moor. After a time
+they stopped at the turf altar erected by the mad girl, and she
+explained to her companion the reason she had made such a place.
+
+"The Master is angry with poor Pearl now," she said sadly, "and He has
+taken the sacred cup from her. She is not good enough to keep it. But
+when the Master is pleased, and will save Pearl from the Pit"--she
+shuddered--"He will place the cup on this altar, and Pearl will bring it
+back to the chapel. Then she will be saved and happy."
+
+"But, Pearl, you must not think of God in this way. He is your Father,
+and He loves you."
+
+"He _did_ love Pearl, but He made her ill, and Mrs Jeal told Pearl that
+she was wicked and in danger of the Worm."
+
+"Pearl! Pearl! Do not believe that. Mrs Jeal is wrong. God loves you!"
+
+"Why, then, did He make Pearl ill if He loved her? And why did He take
+away the Holy Grail which Pearl watched over so carefully?"
+
+"He did not take it away," said Sybil, hardly knowing what reply to
+make.
+
+"Yes, He did," persisted the poor, mad creature. "Pearl was not good
+enough to keep it. But when she is good the cup will come down to earth
+again."
+
+"Do you think it is in heaven now, Pearl?"
+
+"I am sure it is. No roof here to stop the cup from floating up to the
+New Jerusalem. In the chapel it would have stayed, because the bad roof
+kept it down, but here it went up and up and up to the sky."
+
+Sybil did not know what to make of this talk. She soothed the girl as
+much as she could and tried to bring her back to that old happy state of
+mind which Mrs Jeal had destroyed with her gloomy Calvinistic creed. But
+it was all of no use. Only the restoration of the cup would make Pearl
+believe that she was good again. However, Sybil induced her to talk of
+other things, of birds and flowers, and the poor creature was in a
+quieter state of mind when Sybil brought her back to the cottage.
+
+"I go every morning to the altar," said Pearl, as she went inside. "The
+cup will come back when the Master is sorry for Pearl."
+
+At this moment Mrs Jeal pulled her into the house and scolded her for
+being away. When she saw Sybil she became more civil, but still behaved
+in a covertly insolent manner. Sybil grew angry.
+
+"You have behaved very wickedly in putting these ideas into Pearl's
+head, Mrs Jeal," she said severely. "The poor creature is not
+responsible. She does not understand."
+
+"She understands more than you give her credit for, miss," retorted Mrs
+Jeal, coolly, "and she is not fit to be left alone. But when I go away I
+shall put her in an asylum."
+
+"Indeed, you will do nothing of the sort!" cried Miss Tempest,
+indignantly. "The poor thing would die. Liberty is all in all to her.
+When are you going away?"
+
+"I go with Sir Frank Hale, miss. I am going to be the maid of his
+sister."
+
+"I heard Sir Frank was leaving Colester," said Sybil, coldly, "and I
+think it is the best thing he can do. When does he go, Mrs Jeal?"
+
+"In a week, miss. I have got a good situation, miss, and I do not want
+to be burdened with Pearl. She must go to an asylum."
+
+"No, no! I shall take charge of her myself," said Sybil. "You leave her
+to me, Mrs Jeal, and I'll look after her."
+
+"Well, I might, miss; I'll see." Then, after a pause, Mrs Jeal asked,
+"About that gentleman at your place, miss--will he stay long?"
+
+"Only till the end of the week. I suppose you mean Lord Kilspindie?"
+
+Mrs Jeal's wicked eyes blazed. "Yes, I mean him," she said, and gave an
+unpleasant laugh. "Oh! so he goes at the end of the week! Well, miss,
+before I take up my situation with Miss Hale, I'll come and see you
+about Pearl. If you could take her I should be glad, but you'll find her
+a nuisance."
+
+"I don't think so," said Sybil, coldly. "When will you call?"
+
+"After the departure of Lord Kilspindie," said Mrs Jeal, with another
+wicked look, and went into the house. Sybil departed, wondering why the
+woman had asked about Lord Kilspindie, and why she seemed afraid to meet
+him. Had she been clever enough, she might have guessed the truth. As it
+was the matter passed out of her mind.
+
+After this there were some very pleasant evenings at the Vicarage. Leo
+felt almost happy, in spite of his troubles. He could not as yet bring
+himself to tell Sybil that he could never marry her. Besides, he was
+hoping against hope that Raston would bring back some good news from
+London. Not, indeed, that he (Leo Haverleigh) was the lost son of Lord
+Kilspindie--that such good fortune should be his never entered Leo's
+head--but that Pratt was not his father. Leo felt that he would rather
+be proved to be illegitimate, as Mrs Gabriel had told the vicar he was,
+than have such a father as the criminal, Pratt. Yet, at times he felt
+sorry for the man. It was certain that he had in him some good
+qualities. But whenever Leo thought of him as his father, he became
+enraged against him. The thing was too horrible.
+
+Lord Kilspindie took wonderfully to Leo, and this the vicar was pleased
+to see. Owing to Leo's want of an honest name, he could not bring
+himself to consent to the marriage, so he hoped that the Scotch lord
+might take a fancy to the young man and carry him off. Thus Sybil would
+be safe, and Leo would be provided for. Mr Tempest had evidently
+forgotten his own youth, or he would have remembered that loving hearts
+are not so easily severed. Leo and Sybil loved one another too well for
+aught to come between them.
+
+On Saturday night Raston returned. It was so late that Leo had not
+expected him, so they did not meet until the next morning. Then it was
+on the way to church.
+
+"Well," Leo asked eagerly, "and what does my--what does Pratt say?"
+
+"I'll tell you after service," said Raston, hastily. "At present I can't
+think of these things."
+
+"But one word, Raston," urged Leo. "Is Pratt my father?"
+
+"No," replied the curate, emphatically, "he is not." And before Leo
+could ask another question he ran off. Filled with joy at the
+intelligence, but much bewildered, Leo went to church to offer up
+thanks.
+
+Kilspindie was also in church, and with Sybil, in the vicar's pew. Mr
+Tempest allowed Raston to preach, as had been arranged, and took a very
+minor part in the service. Indeed, he did little else but read the
+lessons. The church was filled, as everyone was anxious to see Lord
+Kilspindie. Mrs Bathurst was there, wondering if his lordship could be
+induced to marry Peggy. She quite forgot that she had promised her
+daughter's hand to the curate, and was already scheming to get at the
+old nobleman. That he _was_ old did not matter to Mrs Bathurst. She
+would have sold her daughter to anyone, provided the match was a good
+one. And, curious to say, she would have considered that she had done
+her duty as a mother. Her moral nature was decidedly warped.
+
+The service was almost over, and the church-wardens were handing round
+the bags for the collection when a sweet voice was heard singing in the
+distance. Everyone recognised the voice--it was Pearl's--and the vicar,
+kneeling at the communion table, looked rather disturbed. He knew the
+eccentric ways of the girl, and he feared lest she might come in and
+distract the attention of the congregation. And his fears were
+fulfilled--Pearl, still singing, entered the church. The scandalised
+church-wardens would have kept her out, but that she bore something
+which made them open their eyes. The congregation also became aware of
+Pearl's burden, and a gasp of astonishment went round. Still singing
+some wild, vague melody, the mad girl walked slowly up the aisle,
+bearing the sacred cup.
+
+Lord Kilspindie did not see her until she was almost at the chancel
+steps. He then gave a cry of astonishment, in spite of the building and
+the occasion. Surely he might have been pardoned, for the fairy cup
+upon which depended the fortunes of the Grants glittered before his
+eyes. There was a dead silence. Everyone was too astonished to speak or
+move. The vicar himself was staring from the communion table at this
+miracle. But Raston, who had come down to receive the collection, stood
+quietly waiting till the girl reached him. She came up singing, placed
+the great gold cup in his hand and fell on her knees.
+
+"The Master has forgiven Pearl," she said in a voice which could be
+heard all over the church. "_She_ is saved and the cup will be here to
+watch over for ever and ever. Amen. Amen." And she bowed her face in her
+hands.
+
+Raston paused for a moment in hesitation and glanced at the vicar, then
+at Lord Kilspindie. Then he made up his mind, and walking up to the
+altar, placed the cup in its old position. And there it glittered, all
+gold and gems, with the sunlight striking down on it, until it became
+almost too glorious to look upon. Lord Kilspindie stared, with tears in
+his eyes. The cup would be his again and he would soon have his son. He
+never doubted but that the restoration of the one was the prelude to the
+discovery of the other.
+
+Raston pronounced the Benediction and the organ broke forth into
+jubilant music. Shortly the congregation streamed out. Everyone was much
+excited. The old nobleman came out with Sybil, and they waited at the
+porch for the vicar. Leo also was with them.
+
+Suddenly a woman broke through the crowd in the churchyard. It was Mrs
+Jeal, and she was seeking Pearl. In her haste she never noticed Lord
+Kilspindie, until she almost ran into his arms. Suddenly he saw her
+face, started, and made one stride forward to clutch her by the arm.
+
+"The cup and then the heir!" he said loudly, while all looked on amazed.
+"Janet Grant, where is my son, Lord Morven!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A STORY OF THE PAST
+
+
+Half-an-hour later and Lord Kilspindie was back in the Vicarage library
+with Janet Grant, or, as it may be more convenient to call her, Mrs
+Jeal. Mr Tempest was present, together with Leo and Mr Raston, and they
+had assembled to force the truth out of Mrs Jeal. This was no easy
+matter. All the evil in the woman was uppermost, and with her shawl
+wrapped round her tightly she sat there and defied them all.
+
+"You may burn me, you may put me in prison," said Mrs Jeal, savagely,
+"but I won't open my mouth."
+
+"I'll have you arrested unless you tell the truth," said Lord
+Kilspindie.
+
+"Arrest me, then," snarled Mrs Jeal. "There's a policeman handy, my
+lord."
+
+"Why are you behaving like this, woman?" asked the vicar, sternly.
+
+"Why!" she retorted violently. "Because I was badly treated by my lord
+there. I served him faithfully for many years, yet, in place of giving
+me the position to which I was entitled, he set another woman--a woman I
+hated--over my head. But I paid him out," she said revengefully. "Oh!
+many a sad hour you have had, my lord! And many more you will have. I
+know where your son is; but I won't tell. You have got back the cup, but
+the son, my Lord Morven," she sneered, "will remain in the humble
+position in which I have placed him."
+
+"Something is gained," said Kilspindie. "You have revealed that my son
+is alive and well. I'll get the rest out of you."
+
+"Never!" Mrs Jeal shut her mouth with a snap and shook herself. "I'll
+not speak another word!"
+
+"What a wicked woman you are," said the vicar, sadly. Mrs Jeal's eyes
+flashed a wicked glance at him, but, true to her determination, she held
+her peace. It seemed impossible to do anything with so pronounced a
+vixen.
+
+Hitherto Raston had been silent. Now he came forward. "I am able to deal
+with this matter," he said quietly, "and I have a way of making the
+woman speak."
+
+Mrs Jeal shook her head and glared. The vicar and Kilspindie both looked
+at the curate. So did Leo. He was beginning to have a faint hope that
+the scene would end in the discovery that he was the rightful son of
+Lord Kilspindie. With an anxious face he sat in the corner and drank in
+eagerly every word which fell from Raston's lips. Mrs Jeal maintained
+her self-imposed silence.
+
+"Mr Tempest," said Raston, "when I asked you if I might go to London, I
+did not tell you my errand. I tell it to you now. It was to see the man
+known as Pratt."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the vicar. "You saw that man!"
+
+"Two days ago. He wrote asking me to see him, hinting that he had
+something to tell about the cup."
+
+"Which he stole," said Kilspindie.
+
+"No, my lord. Pratt did not steal the cup. He took the blame upon
+himself, so as to clear the name of my friend Haverleigh."
+
+Both the old men looked at Leo, who winced.
+
+"Are you sure of that?" asked the vicar. "Pratt wrote to Marton,
+remember."
+
+"To take the blame upon himself. Quite so. But he was not guilty for all
+that. His record was so black when Marton unmasked him that he thought a
+crime more or less would not matter."
+
+"But why should he shield Haverleigh?" asked Mr Tempest.
+
+Leo started forward. He saw that the time had come for him to speak out.
+"I can answer that," he said. "Pratt told me that I was his son."
+
+Tempest uttered an exclamation. "You must be mistaken," he said; "Mrs
+Gabriel informed me that you were illegitimate."
+
+"That would not have made any difference," said Leo, bitterly. "I might
+as well be the illegitimate son of Pratt as of anyone else. As a matter
+of fact, however, he told me that I was born in wedlock. His wife--my
+mother--died, and he placed me with Mrs Gabriel to bring up. She
+believed that I was a nameless orphan, and what she told you, Mr
+Tempest, was true so far as she knew. Her telling was none the less
+spiteful, however. It was that which made you unwilling that I should
+marry Sybil."
+
+"Yes," said the vicar, with a flush. "I did not like to think that a
+daughter of mine should marry a nameless man."
+
+"And you visit the sins of the parents on the head of their innocent
+offspring," said Leo. "You have not treated me well, Mr Tempest. You
+thought me guilty of theft; scorned me because I was nameless! Is this
+the conduct of a minister of the Gospel?"
+
+The grey head of the vicar drooped. "I admit that I have been wrong,
+Leo," he said in a faltering tone. "You have vindicated your character.
+I ask your pardon. And more," said he, when Leo grasped his hand, "even
+although there is a stain on your birth--"
+
+"No," said Leo, "I don't want you to bind yourself to anything. Wait
+till this mystery is cleared up. At present, so far as I know, I am the
+son of a criminal. If that is true, I should refuse to marry Sybil."
+
+Here Mrs Jeal burst out into a taunting laugh. Lord Kilspindie frowned
+upon her, and took Leo's disengaged hand. The vicar held the other. "You
+are a good man, Haverleigh," said his lordship, far from suspecting the
+truth. "I wish I had you for a son," and Mrs Jeal laughed again.
+
+When quiet was restored, Raston went on with his story. "First," he
+said, "I must tell you how I recovered the cup. I went up and met Pratt.
+As I promised not to deliver him into the hands of the law, much as he
+deserved punishment, he spoke to me freely and I was with him three
+hours. I do not know if I was right in letting such a dangerous
+criminal escape," said the curate, looking round, "but if I had given
+information to the police I should never have heard the truth about Leo,
+nor should I have secured the cup."
+
+"Then I am not his son?" cried Leo, eagerly.
+
+"No. Pratt gave me his word for that. Who you are you shall hear
+presently." Here Raston gave a glance at Mrs Jeal, who was moving her
+hands restlessly and seemed to be ill at ease. "Meantime I must go on
+with the story of the cup. It seemed that Pratt knew the pawnbroker
+Penny, and having learnt from Mrs Jeal's story that he had the cup, he
+went to get it back and to learn who had pawned it."
+
+"And who did?" asked the vicar, sharply.
+
+Raston gave the answer he least expected. "Mrs Jeal pawned it," said he.
+
+The woman sprang to her feet and found her tongue. "It is a lie!" she
+shouted, furious with rage; then she made a rush for the door. Lord
+Kilspindie put his hand on her shoulder and forced her back into the
+chair.
+
+"I am beginning to suspect the truth," he said sternly. "Sit still or I
+will have you punished."
+
+She scowled and relapsed into a dogged silence. Raston went on to tell
+how the cup had been stolen. "It seems that when Pearl Darry was ill,"
+he said, "this woman watched by her bed. The poor, mad creature was
+delirious and raved about the cup. Mrs Jeal persuaded her that she would
+be eternally punished, what for Heaven only knows--"
+
+"She is a child of sin," groaned Mrs Jeal.
+
+"She is as pure and good as an angel," cried the curate, frowning. "It
+is you who are the evil doer, Mrs Jeal! Well, Mr Tempest, the girl
+thought in her half-delirious state that she would test the goodness of
+God. She proposed to take the cup out of the chapel and place it on an
+altar of turf which she had prepared on the moor. It was her idea that
+if God wished to save her, He would take the cup up to Heaven, and then
+replace it at a later date on the altar. She, therefore, while Mrs Jeal
+was absent, dressed herself and ran out of the house. She went to the
+house of old Barker the sexton. His door was not locked--he told a lie
+about that to save himself--and she knew where the key of the church
+hung. It was in her hand in a moment, and she went to the church
+sometime about ten o'clock. She entered and took the cup. Then she
+replaced the key on its nail after relocking the door."
+
+"One moment," interrupted Mr Tempest; "those scratches on the lepers'
+window--we thought, if you remember, that the robber had entered that
+way."
+
+"I shrewdly suspect that old Barker made those scratches to save his own
+skin," said Raston. "You had better ask him." And it may here be
+mentioned that the vicar did, and learned that what Raston said was
+true. The old sexton, finding the cup gone, feared lest he might be
+accused of the robbery, and so conceived the idea of making marks as
+though someone had entered at a window which his fat body could not
+possibly have squeezed through. It was a clever idea and misled all.
+But old Barker was punished by being sent to Portfront after he had
+confessed.
+
+"It was when Pearl left Barker's cottage with the cup that Mrs Jeal met
+her," went on the curate. "She had missed her out of bed, and thinking
+that the mad girl had gone to the chapel, followed. She met her at the
+door of the cottage and saw that she had the cup. It was then that the
+idea came into her wicked head to steal the cup."
+
+"It's a lie!" cried Mrs Jeal again.
+
+"It is what you told Old Penny, anyhow, as he is prepared to swear in
+court," said the curate, coolly. "He would not give you what you asked
+for the cup until you told him where you got it. For a wonder, you told
+the truth. Yes, Mrs Jeal, you followed Pearl on to the moor and saw her
+set the cup on the turf altar. Waiting till she got back to your
+cottage, you took the cup and concealed it under your shawl. You took it
+home, and found the girl back again in bed, very ill from the effects of
+exposure. For a time you nursed her while the hue and cry was being made
+about the cup. Then you made the excuse that your father was ill and
+went to London. You have no father, Mrs Jeal, and Old Penny, in answer
+to a letter of yours, sent the wire. You told him you had something for
+him, and so he aided you with your plot. You took the cup to London,
+pawned it to Old Penny after telling him the story, and got five hundred
+pounds for it."
+
+"I did not--I did not!" Mrs Jeal tried again to rise, and again had to
+remain; Lord Kilspindie kept his heavy grip on her shoulder. In his
+rage at her duplicity he could have slain her, but he spared her for the
+moment that he might learn the truth. After many years of darkness dawn
+was breaking. Mrs Jeal saw that the end was in sight and began to sob.
+
+"Then," continued Raston, "you banked the money and came down to tell
+that wicked lie about Leo Haverleigh. You know that he was never near
+the place--that he was innocent and that you were guilty. However, Pratt
+got all this out of Old Penny, and then gave him the five hundred pounds
+for the cup. He took it to his own place, and when I was with him he
+handed it to me."
+
+"Come," said Kilspindie, "there is some good in the man."
+
+"He has to make reparation to you, my lord," said Raston, solemnly, "for
+he is this woman's husband, and it was by his direction that your son
+was stolen. Yes," here the curate pointed to Leo, "and there is your
+son."
+
+Leo rose slowly, as pale as a corpse. He had expected this, yet when it
+came the thing was too much for him. He could only look at his
+newly-found father in silence. Lord Kilspindie gasped and he too turned
+pale. Then he made one stride forward, and grasping Leo's hands stared
+into his face. "Yes," he muttered, "I believe. You have her--her--" He
+turned on Mrs Jeal. "Woman, is this true?" he demanded. But Mrs Jeal,
+with a cruel smile on her fat, puffy face, still sat silent. "I could
+strangle you," muttered Lord Kilspindie, exasperated by her obstinacy.
+
+"I can make her speak," said Raston, taking an envelope out of his
+pocket, "and here is the means of doing so."
+
+Still holding Leo's hand, Lord Kilspindie looked at the curate. Mrs Jeal
+remained quiet, a contemptuous smile on her lips and her eyes on the
+floor. Tempest, much interested in this strange scene, sat waiting for
+the end. It would seem that the result was in Raston's hands.
+
+"After I had received the cup and had heard its story," the curate
+continued, "I began to question Pratt about Leo. At Portfront Leo had
+already told me of the claim Pratt had made to being his father. I did
+not believe it, for I know Haverleigh's upright nature and could not
+think that he was the child of such a bad man. At first Pratt insisted
+that he was the father. I then appealed to his better instincts and told
+him how Leo had made up his mind to give up Miss Tempest rather than
+make her the wife of a man with such antecedents as his. I think Pratt
+really loves you, Leo, for after a time he yielded to my entreaties and
+told the truth."
+
+"I am sure he likes me," said Haverleigh, quietly; "he was always very
+kind to me. Bad as he is, I at least have no reason to complain of his
+treatment."
+
+"But what did he say?" asked Lord Kilspindie, anxiously.
+
+"I shall leave Mrs Jeal to tell. She can repeat to you the story Pratt
+told me."
+
+"I'll not say a word," muttered the woman, resolutely.
+
+"I can compel you!" replied Raston, sternly.
+
+"Try!" was Mrs Jeal's disdainful retort.
+
+The curate turned towards Kilspindie. "Pratt's story had a great deal to
+do with his wife, my lord, and on several points he referred me to her.
+I told him that she would never speak, for I well know how obstinate she
+is. Pratt then agreed to help me, 'for Leo's sake,' he said. He wrote
+out something and placed what he had written in this envelope. I did not
+see what it was and I do not know now. The envelope is sealed as you
+see. Now," added the curate, looking at Mrs Jeal, who was beginning to
+show signs of uneasiness, "if you tell the story of how you stole the
+child and prove that Mr Haverleigh is really Lord Morven, I will hand
+this letter to you with the seal unbroken. If you refuse, I will open
+the envelope now and act on the contents. Pratt assured me that what is
+contained herein would cost you much more than your liberty!"
+
+The three men looked at the woman. Her face was livid, and the
+perspiration beaded her forehead. Twice she tried to speak, but her
+mouth opened and shut without a sound.
+
+"Will you speak?" asked Raston, quietly.
+
+"Give it to me," she muttered in a husky tone, and stretching out her
+hand for the envelope Raston withdrew it beyond her reach.
+
+"Not until you have told us the story," he said.
+
+"If I do, will you give me the letter?"
+
+"Yes--with the seal unbroken. I do not know what iniquity you have been
+guilty of; but we are all willing not to know so long as you inform us
+of your minor fault."
+
+"I have your promise to give me the letter as it is?" asked Mrs Jeal.
+
+"Yes," said Raston, and the other three men echoed his response. Mrs
+Jeal nodded, well satisfied, and wiped her pale face with the end of her
+shawl. She then took a key out of her pocket.
+
+"Will one of you gentlemen go to my cottage," she said, "and open the
+third drawer in the chest of drawers in my bedroom standing opposite to
+the door? There you will find a parcel wrapped up in brown paper. I want
+it brought here immediately."
+
+"Shall I go?" said Leo, rising.
+
+"No," said Lord Kilspindie. "I have you and I mean to keep you. Mr
+Tempest, no doubt, has a servant whom he can trust."
+
+Tempest nodded and touched the bell. The old butler, who had been with
+the vicar for over twenty years, appeared. "Take this key," said his
+master, handing it to him. "Mrs Jeal will give you directions how to use
+it. Lose no time in coming back."
+
+Mrs Jeal repeated her instructions and the servant departed on his
+errand. Then the woman rose to her feet and began to talk with an
+assumption of courage which would have been ludicrous had it not been so
+pitiful. Still, she fought well, and was game to the last.
+
+"You have got the better of me," she said, "or, rather, that brute of a
+Tony Angel has peached. If he had held his tongue I could have defied
+the lot of you. As it is--" She shrugged her fat shoulders and paused.
+"Ask me what questions you like," she said, "I am in your power. I
+_must_ reply."
+
+"Is this my son?" asked Kilspindie, his hand on Leo's shoulder.
+
+"Yes. That is Lord Morven!"
+
+Leo uttered a cry and looked at his father with moist eyes. The
+revulsion of feeling was too much for Kilspindie, and he sank down into
+a chair. Leo held his hand, and there was silence for a few moments. "I
+am thankful to God that he has spared me to see my son again!" said
+Kilspindie, solemnly, and the vicar added a solemn "Amen."
+
+"And thank God that I have a father and an unsullied name!" said Leo,
+almost too moved to speak. Nor was this emotion unmanly on the part of
+father and son. The least sentimental person must grant this much.
+
+Kilspindie remained seated in his chair and holding the hand of his
+newly-recovered son. Both men fixed their eyes on Mrs Jeal, who in a
+cold and unemotional way continued her confession.
+
+"I was brought up on your estate, my lord," she said, "and there I met
+with Pratt--or, rather, with Tony Angel. He came on a visit to the
+village to get away from the police. He was a handsome and fascinating
+man and I fell in love with him. Whether he loved me or not I cannot
+say. At all events, he pretended to. I left your service and married
+him. We went to London, and then I discovered that my husband was a
+thief. At first I was horrified. In those days, my lord, I was not the
+hardened sinner you see me now. But after a time Pratt--as I may call
+him--made me as bad as himself. He taught me to love fine things and
+comfort, and as he always made plenty of money by stealing I had a gay
+life. Oh! we had fine times I can tell you! He--"
+
+"Go on with your story, Mrs Jeal," said the vicar, sternly.
+
+She tossed her head, but obeyed. "After a time things got bad. Pratt was
+so well known to the police that he was not so successful as he had
+been. I used to tell him about Kilspindie Castle and the cup. Pratt, who
+loved beautiful things, wanted to get the cup. He proposed that I should
+go back and steal it. I was already known in the castle, so there would
+be a better opportunity for me to get it than himself. As I wanted money
+I agreed, and I came back to the castle."
+
+"Did you re-enter my service in order to steal the cup?" asked Lord
+Kilspindie.
+
+"Yes," replied Mrs Jeal, defiantly, "you had plenty without it. I
+entered as an under-nursemaid, and as I was comfortable I thought I
+would stay for a while. Pratt came up and urged me to steal the cup at
+once. I refused, as I did not wish to leave my good situation. Then an
+idea came into his head that if I could obtain the child of a nobleman
+he could hold it as a hostage."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Raston.
+
+"The meaning is not difficult," said Mrs Jeal, coolly. "Pratt was always
+in danger of being taken by the police, and his record was so bad that
+he would have been shown no mercy. He thought if he had Lord
+Kilspindie's son, that when he got into trouble he could promise to
+restore the child on condition that he was set free."
+
+"A clever idea," muttered the vicar.
+
+"And a very wild one," said his lordship. "What influence could I bring
+to bear towards helping a criminal?"
+
+"What, indeed?" sneered Mrs Jeal. "I assured Pratt that your lordship
+had no power. But the idea of getting the child as a hostage fascinated
+him, and he commanded me to steal the boy. For a time I refused. Then
+the head nurse died and another woman was set over my head. My lady
+treated me badly--she insulted me; she showed that she mistrusted me. I
+was angry and I determined to be revenged. I was revenged by obeying
+Pratt. I took the cup and the child and went away. How I--"
+
+"I know how you stole both the child and the cup," said Lord Kilspindie.
+
+"Very good, my lord. Well, I went to London with Pratt. He pawned the
+cup, and on the money we lived for a time. Then he insisted that, as he
+might some day have to restore the child--we called him Leo," said Mrs
+Jeal, with a glance at the young man, "it was necessary that he should
+be brought up as a gentleman. He knew Mrs Gabriel, whom he had met
+abroad. He had some power over her--"
+
+"And what _is_ the power?" asked Leo.
+
+Mrs Jeal shook her head. "That has nothing to do with you or with the
+restoration of your rights, Lord Morven," she said. "I keep that secret
+to myself. Pratt had a power over her and used it. He brought the child
+to her and said he was a natural child. He insisted that she should
+bring him up as the son of her brother who had just died abroad. How
+Pratt knew this I do not know; but then he knew everything. Well, it was
+done, and Leo was established at the castle. Mrs Gabriel brought him
+up."
+
+"Yes," said Leo, bitterly, "she brought me up." And he looked back on
+the long life of petty worry and contemptible tyranny that had been his.
+"I know all this. But yourself, Mrs Jeal?"
+
+"I remained with Pratt. I was only too glad to get rid of you. I hated
+you for your mother's sake--"
+
+"Stop that!" cried Lord Kilspindie, and Mrs Jeal dropped a mocking
+curtsey.
+
+"At your lordship's service! However, I found out that Pratt was
+treating me badly. He went about with other women. He even struck me. I
+made up my mind to leave him, and I did. I went from one place to
+another, and finally I came to settle in Colester."
+
+"Why did you come here?" asked the vicar.
+
+"Oh, your reverence can understand that I wanted to keep an eye on the
+young lord!" said Mrs Jeal, obsequiously. "He was my property as well as
+Pratt's, and when the day came to give him up to his father I wanted my
+share of the spoil."
+
+"You shall have nothing," said Lord Kilspindie, sternly. "You ought to
+be glad that I do not hand you over to the police!"
+
+She scowled and would have become vituperative, but Raston moved the
+hand which held the envelope significantly. At once a frightened look
+came over her face, and she sat down. "I stayed here," she continued
+feebly, all the strength having gone out of her, "and saved Pearl Darry
+from her father. When Pratt came I was afraid; I was always afraid of
+Pratt. No one knows but myself what a devil he is. He told me to hold my
+tongue, and I was too frightened of him to disobey. Now I'll go away
+from here with the Hales, since Miss Sybil has promised to look after
+Pearl. I want to put the seas between myself and that man. He terrifies
+me, and I am not a woman easily terrified."
+
+"Why did you tell that lie about my having pawned the cup?" asked Leo.
+
+Mrs Jeal shook her head. "I can say no more," she said. Leo would have
+insisted, but at that moment the servant entered with the parcel of
+which the woman had spoken. When he went out Mrs Jeal opened this, and
+spread out the contents on the table.
+
+"Here are the evidences your lordship wished for," she said, glancing at
+Lord Kilspindie. "This is the dress Lord Morven wore when I took him
+away, his name is marked--the underclothing is also marked. The coral
+necklace which your lordship may perhaps recognise as an heirloom. And
+your lordship may perhaps remember some mark by which Lord Morven can
+be recognised. There _is_ a mark, if your lordship remembers."
+
+Kilspindie drew his hand across his forehead and thought. "My wife
+showed me the child one day and pointed out the mark. Yes, three moles
+in a line just above the elbow of the left arm."
+
+Mrs Jeal nodded, and Leo, hastily stripping off his coat, drew up his
+sleeve to show the three moles in question. "But I don't need that to
+assure me that you are my son," said the old nobleman; "you have the
+eyes of your mother. Yes; you are my son and Lord Morven!"
+
+"I congratulate you, Leo," said Raston, shaking his friend's hand.
+
+"And I have to thank you with all my heart," said the new Lord Morven,
+"for if it had not been for you this would never have been discovered. I
+should like to know, however, how it was that Pratt claimed me as a
+son?"
+
+"That was Mrs Gabriel's fault," said Raston. "She told him that you
+intended to denounce him to the police. When you discovered him at the
+castle on that night he was afraid lest you might do so, therefore he
+said you were his son, so as to put such a betrayal out of your power."
+
+"As if I would ever have betrayed him!" said Leo. "There was good in
+Pratt."
+
+"There is _no_ good in him," cried Mrs Jeal, fiercely. "How dare you say
+so? He is a bad and wicked man. I hate him with all my soul! But never
+will I set eyes on him again. He might kill me as he has often
+threatened to do. But I have told all; I have proved your identity, Lord
+Morven, and you have the cup, my Lord Kilspindie. The--the--letter--"
+She hesitated. Those present looked at one another. "Should this
+dangerous woman go free to be a pest to society?" said the vicar,
+sternly.
+
+"You promised," said Mrs Jeal, terrified and white to the lips.
+
+Leo looked at her for a moment, then took the letter from the hands of
+Raston, and gave it to her. "We must keep our word," he said.
+
+"And you must leave this place at once," said Mr Tempest, austerely.
+
+But Mrs Jeal was paying no attention to them. She had torn open the
+letter, and was reading the few lines it contained. "I thought so," she
+muttered, with a black look. "I wish I could kill him." She crushed up
+the paper and put it into her pocket again. Then she walked to the door.
+"Good-day, my Lord Morven, and good-bye, Lord Kilspindie. You are poor
+creatures, both of you. Your reverence will now be glad to sell your
+daughter for a title! As to you, Mr Raston, the girl you love would have
+been sold to my husband by her mother. I wish you joy, all you men
+fools." And with a mocking curtsey Mrs Jeal walked out of the room.
+
+"Let her go. We know the truth," said Lord Kilspindie. "Leo!"
+
+But Leo, with a nod, was making for the door. "I must tell Sybil," he
+said, and vanished.
+
+Half-an-hour later the vicar and his father went in search of him. They
+found him sitting hand in hand with Sybil in the drawing-room. "It's
+really wonderful, wonderful!" she was saying.
+
+"And your father will let me marry you now, darling," said Leo.
+
+"If you will grant him your pardon," said the voice of Mr Tempest.
+
+Leo shook the vicar's hand, kissed Sybil, and Kilspindie smiled,
+well-pleased.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+MRS GABRIEL'S SECRET
+
+
+Mrs Jeal was not pleased. She was a woman who liked to make mischief,
+and preferred to leave sorrow rather than joy behind her. In her time
+she had caused a good deal of misery, and she had always rejoiced over
+it. But now that she had been forced to undo the evil she had committed,
+her heart ached. Bad as Pratt was, his wife was worse, and if he had
+indeed killed her, as he had threatened, he would have been doing a
+service to mankind. Mrs Jeal was a noxious snake who should have been
+killed without pity.
+
+On leaving the Vicarage she went home at once and found the cottage
+empty, as Pearl had not yet returned. Mrs Jeal brought out the letter
+and again read it. Then she turned white and shivered; finally she put
+it into the fire, and watched it burn to black ashes. Afterwards she
+filled herself a glass of brandy and drank it neat. Yet she was an
+abstemious woman as a rule. There must have been something very terrible
+in that letter to make her take to strong drink. And what was in it no
+one in Colester ever found out. Having burned it, Mrs Jeal put it out of
+her mind as well as she was able. Yet often afterwards she shivered to
+think of what would have happened had it been opened in the Vicarage
+library. "A narrow shave that," muttered Mrs Jeal.
+
+Shortly, when she had recovered herself in some measure, Pearl danced
+into the room. She was now quite her old happy self. The restoration of
+the cup made her believe that God had forgiven her, and that the Master
+believed her worthy to be the guardian of the Holy Grail. Raston had
+arranged the matter in order to save her from further misery. Early on
+Sunday morning he had taken the cup across the moor and had placed it on
+the turf altar, knowing that there Pearl, as was her custom, would come
+and seek it. He had not anticipated such a dramatic scene as had taken
+place in the chapel. Pearl believed in her own weak mind that the Master
+had brought the cup down again from Heaven. She was therefore glad and
+merry, and her singing and dancing annoyed Mrs Jeal.
+
+"Keep quiet, you minx!" she cried savagely, "or I'll have you shut up.
+Where have you been after making an exhibition of yourself?"
+
+"I have been looking at the cup," said Pearl, gaily. "It is on the
+altar. I am pleased the Master has given it again into my charge. He has
+forgiven me, and some day I shall be with Him in Paradise."
+
+It was in Mrs Jeal's wicked mind to tell the truth to the girl. But she
+knew that Pearl would not accept the explanation. Besides, strange as it
+may seem, even Mrs Jeal had some compunction in making the girl
+miserable. The woman was evil to the core, but she must have had some
+good in her. Therefore she held her tongue on the subject of the cup.
+
+"Where were you so early this morning?" she asked. "I found your bed
+empty at six o'clock."
+
+"I went to the altar to find the cup brought down by the dear Master,"
+replied Pearl, "and I was watching Sir Frank Hale and his sister going
+away. They drove with two horses and many boxes. I did not--"
+
+Mrs Jeal jumped up and seized Pearl's arm. "What do you mean?" she
+asked. "Has Sir Frank Hale gone?"
+
+"And his sister," said Pearl, twisting away with a frightened face.
+"They have left Colester and gone away--away, oh, far away! Oh! Oh! what
+are--"
+
+"Hold your tongue," said Mrs Jeal, thrusting her into a chair, "and sit
+you there till I come back." She hurriedly put on her bonnet and shawl.
+"If you stir I'll kill you," and she hurried out of the house.
+
+Pearl's news was true. There was no one in the Hale's house save an old
+woman who was to act as caretaker. She explained that Sir Frank and his
+sister had left early that morning, and by this time were on their way
+to London, whence they departed in a few days for the Continent.
+
+"Did they leave no message for me?" asked Mrs Jeal, her face growing
+black as she clenched her hand.
+
+"No; why should they?" asked the crone, contemptuously. "What have fine
+folks like them to do with a woman like you?"
+
+"I'll slap your face if you talk to me like that," raged Mrs Jeal, her
+worst nature coming uppermost.
+
+"I have influence with your master. I can have you turned away."
+
+"No, you can't," replied the other hag. "Why I heard Sir Frank say how
+glad he was to get away without seeing you. He called you a witch. He!
+He!"
+
+"He did, did he?" muttered Mrs Jeal, furiously. "Now just you--" She
+was going on to threaten the caretaker when she found the door banged in
+her face and heard the mocking laughter of the old woman behind it.
+
+Treated thus scornfully, Mrs Jeal stamped and raged like one possessed.
+"Not a penny," she muttered, "and he promised--ugh, the miser--the
+beast! I'll be even with him. There's the money for the cup. I can
+follow. I can--but I want more. Now that I have given up my secret"--her
+face grew dark as she thought of the burnt letter--"I shall be poor.
+Ha!" She stopped, and biting her finger looked towards the castle. "I
+can make her pay. This evening, then. It will be worth more than the
+cup. One secret is of no use. But I have another--another."
+
+She shook her fist at the house of Sir Frank, said something about him
+that was not exactly a blessing, then returned home with her mind made
+up. She wished to leave Colester, which was now too hot for her. As
+Sybil would look after Pearl, there would be no difficulty in that
+quarter. She had saved money, and with what she had got from pawning the
+cup she was fairly well off for her station in life. But Mrs Jeal was
+greedy and wanted more. Mrs Gabriel was to be the milch cow this time.
+Thus it came about that Mrs Gabriel was informed that evening that Mrs
+Jeal wished to see her at once on important business.
+
+The underlying insolence of the message annoyed Mrs Gabriel, who always
+prided herself on keeping the lower orders in what she called their
+proper place, which was under her heel. And Mrs Gabriel was in no mood
+to be merciful to insolence. Some kind friend had informed her of the
+discovery of Leo's true position. She was savagely angry. On account of
+Pratt she had hated the young man, and later on, when he came to defy
+her, she had disliked him on his own account. That he should have a
+title, and that he should marry Sybil Tempest! These things were all
+gall and bitterness to the haughty woman. She wanted Leo to be her
+slave, to punish him for Pratt's misdemeanours. But her slave had
+escaped, and she could do nothing save sit in the empty room, eating out
+her heart in the bitterness of impotent anger. She could do nothing. Leo
+was gone; Pratt was gone, and she was left a lonely woman. She had not
+even the comfort of feeling that she could revenge herself.
+
+Feeling in this mood, she was not unwilling to see Mrs Jeal. Here, at
+least, was someone on whom she could vent her rage. With an imperious
+gesture she ordered the woman to be admitted, and received her with a
+stormy brow. Mrs Jeal smiled. She knew that she had the upper hand, and
+was not to be intimidated by stormy looks. Waiting till the servant had
+departed and the door was closed, she introduced herself.
+
+"I have to speak to you on important business, my lady," she said, with
+assumed meekness, and addressing Mrs Gabriel by a title to which she
+laid no claim. This was done to accentuate the later part of the
+interview. Mrs Jeal was quite as well prepared as was Mrs Gabriel to
+make herself disagreeable. She also was out of tune.
+
+"What business can a woman like you have with me?" demanded Mrs Gabriel,
+with scorn, and put up a _lorgnette_ to freeze Mrs Jeal with a look.
+
+But Mrs Jeal had borne the looks of even greater ladies than Mrs
+Gabriel. "It is strange, is it not, my lady?" she sniggered; "but I have
+something to talk about which will interest your ladyship very much."
+
+"Indeed!" Mrs Gabriel looked more scornful than ever. "And I believe you
+have to do with this precious discovery?"
+
+"I have, my lady. Mr Haverleigh is now Lord Morven. I proved his right
+to the title. You see, my lady, I was a nurse at Kilspindie Castle, and
+I stole his lordship when a child."
+
+"How dare you speak to me like this?" cried Mrs Gabriel. "Do you not
+know that I can have you arrested for such an admission?"
+
+"Oh, no; you cannot, my lady," retorted Mrs Jeal, coolly; "only Lord
+Kilspindie can do that, and he has let me go free."
+
+"Then you leave this place," said Mrs Gabriel, haughtily. "I'll have no
+one in Colester likely to corrupt the morals of the people."
+
+"Ah, you have great power here, my lady--great power," mocked Mrs Jeal.
+
+Mrs Gabriel's blood grew cold as she saw the look in the woman's eye. "I
+don't understand you. Leave the room and the place," she said.
+
+"All in good time, my lady," replied Mrs Jeal, calmly, and took a seat.
+As this was more than Mrs Gabriel could bear, she rose.
+
+"You infamous creature!" she cried furiously. "Out of my house, or I'll
+have you thrown out by my servants."
+
+"_My_ house, _my_ servants, _my_ estates!" sneered Mrs Jeal, keeping an
+eye on her victim. "Are you sure you can talk like that, my lady?"
+
+"I repeat I don't understand you," stammered Mrs Gabriel, sitting down.
+She was beginning to be afraid. Mrs Jeal would not dare to speak so
+unless she possessed some information dangerous to the lady of the
+castle.
+
+"I shall leave the parish to-morrow," went on Mrs Jeal, coolly. "I have
+no wish to remain. Miss Tempest will take charge of Pearl, and--"
+
+"What have I to do with all this?" said Mrs Gabriel, sitting up.
+
+"This much: I want your ladyship to give me a thousand pounds."
+
+"Ah! I thought so. Your mission here is one of blackmail?"
+
+Mrs Jeal shrugged her plump shoulders. "Some people would call it that,"
+she said, dropping the courtesy title; "and as you have paid blackmail
+to Pratt all these years, I don't see why you should not give me a
+thousand pounds to get rid of me."
+
+"Pratt!" Mrs Gabriel could hardly speak. "What do you know?--"
+
+"I know that Pratt was married to you in Switzerland when you were Miss
+Haverleigh, and that you afterwards married Mr Gabriel. The property was
+left by Mr Gabriel to--'_my wife_.' Those were the words used in the
+will. And you, Miss Haverleigh, were never Mr Gabriel's wife."
+
+"It is not true," muttered Mrs Gabriel, her lips quivering.
+
+"It is true; you know it is!" said the other woman. "A word from Pratt,
+and you would have been turned out of possession here. He held his
+tongue so long as you took the child and brought him up. I have held my
+tongue also, because I was afraid of Pratt. But now he has told my
+secret about Lord Morven, I want money on my own account, so as to get
+away from him across the seas."
+
+Mrs Gabriel drummed on the table. She saw that this woman was too much
+for her. "What you say is perfectly true," she said. "I met Pratt in
+Switzerland when I was a young girl. We were married in Geneva, and I
+afterwards found out what a brute he was. We parted. Afterwards I heard
+that he was dead, and regarded myself as free to marry Gabriel."
+
+"Oh, that was one of Pratt's jokes," said Mrs Jeal, easily. "He was
+always a merry sort of brute. But, you see, I can turn you out."
+
+"Not without Pratt's aid," said Mrs Gabriel, fiercely. "I won't give up
+the property to go to the Crown! I love power, and I intend to keep what
+I have. Pratt made me take that child, and lie about him. He made me
+introduce him to Colester society, and for years he has taken money from
+me. After doing all this, do you think I'll give it up? No; I'll fight!"
+
+Mrs Jeal laughed unpleasantly. "I can put a weapon into your hand to
+fight with," she said; "that is, if you give me a thousand pounds."
+
+"What do you mean" panted Mrs Gabriel, throwing herself forward and
+seizing Mrs Jeal by the shoulders. "Can you?--will you?--"
+
+"If you give me a thousand pounds," replied the other woman, quite
+unmoved, and looking up with her wicked eyes into Mrs Gabriel's agitated
+face.
+
+"What do you know? Quick--tell me!" Mrs Gabriel shook her.
+
+"Don't shake me," said Mrs Jeal, tartly, twisting herself free. "If you
+want to know my secret, I'll tell it to you--I am Pratt's lawful wife."
+
+Mrs Gabriel put her hand to her forehead, and reeled to the end of the
+room. "Wife--wife!" she muttered. "Then I am not--"
+
+"You are _not_ his wife," finished Mrs Jeal, coolly. "You never were his
+wife, seeing he was married to me before he met you. You are Mrs
+Gabriel, the widow of John Gabriel, and the possessor of this property."
+
+"Can you--can you prove this?" asked the other woman, gasping.
+
+"I'll give you my marriage certificate for a thousand pounds," said Mrs
+Jeal. "I don't want it. I've had enough of Pratt. Then you can see the
+church where we were married, and search the register. Oh, it's all
+right."
+
+"Give me the certificate," Mrs Gabriel stretched out her hand eagerly.
+
+"Not without the thousand pounds," said Mrs Jeal, resolutely.
+
+"I'll give you a cheque," said Mrs Gabriel, hurrying to a writing-desk.
+
+Mrs Jeal shook her head. "Won't do!" she remarked. "I've had to do with
+ladies before. You might stop that cheque when I had given you what you
+wanted. No. Come to the bank; give me the money in notes, and I'll place
+the certificate in your hands."
+
+"We can't go to the bank to-night," said Mrs Gabriel, frowning.
+
+"Oh! I can wait till to-morrow," replied Mrs Jeal, coolly.
+
+Mrs Gabriel lost her temper and stamped her foot. "Give me that
+certificate, or I'll have you arrested."
+
+"Oh! So you want me to tell my story in court, my lady."
+
+"You dare to!"
+
+"Then give me the thousand pounds." Mrs Jeal was beginning to lose her
+temper. "Here's a coil about a trifle," she said angrily; "instead of
+asking you for blackmail, as I could have done, I offer to give you
+freedom. And you won't pay for it."
+
+"I will. Here's a cheque. Come with me to the bank at Portfront
+to-morrow, and you can cash it in my presence. The certificate--"
+
+"Will be given to you when the notes are in my hand. You can take me to
+Portfront with my boxes, as I then can catch the afternoon steamer to
+London. I have given up my cottage, and sold my furniture, and packed my
+things. To-morrow I'll take Pearl to Miss Tempest, and then we can drive
+to the bank."
+
+"You insolent woman!" raged Mrs Gabriel, but she was obliged to yield.
+For once in her life she had met a person of her own sex who had as bad
+a temper as herself. The two women had a royal battle, but in the end
+victory declared itself on the side of Mrs Jeal, and she departed in
+triumph.
+
+The next morning Sybil was informed that Mrs Jeal and Pearl were waiting
+to see her. Guessing the woman's errand, Miss Tempest descended. Mrs
+Jeal, perfectly respectful, dropped a curtsey.
+
+"I've brought you Pearl, my lady," she said.
+
+"I am not 'my lady,'" said Sybil, coldly.
+
+"You soon will be," smirked Mrs Jeal, "Lady Morven. Well, I don't grudge
+it to you. You're not so bad as some. Here's Pearl."
+
+Sybil took the hand of the poor creature, who was shedding tears at the
+thought of losing Mrs Jeal. "Don't cry, Pearl, you will be quite happy
+with me. Remember you have to look after the cup." Whereat Pearl clapped
+her hands and was joyful again.
+
+"I shan't want you any more," said Pearl to Mrs Jeal; "the Master has
+given me the cup to look after, and you are too wicked to come near
+me."
+
+Mrs Jeal winced, and looked down. "Here's gratitude," she sighed. "I've
+loved but one thing in my life, and it turns against me. Well, Pearl, I
+hope you will be happy. Good-bye." She paused, and then went on. "And,
+my lady, I would like to tell you the reason I told that lie about Lord
+Morven having pawned the cup. It was Sir Frank Hale made me do it."
+
+"Sir Frank!" echoed Sybil in amazement. "Why should he?"
+
+"It was partly your fault, miss," said Mrs Jeal, coolly; "he loved you,
+and he loved his sister. If Lord Morven had married Miss Edith, and you
+had married Sir Frank, all would have been well. But on that night I
+brought back the cup he saw me, and got the truth out of me. There he
+used me for his own ends, so as to get the blame laid on Mr Haverleigh."
+
+"How wicked of him!" said Sybil, angrily.
+
+Mrs Jeal laughed. "It was his way, my lady. But he has gone away, and
+will not trouble you again. Neither shall I. Good-bye, my lady. Pearl?"
+
+But Pearl turned away like a cross child. Mrs Jeal had to go without a
+farewell kiss, and her wicked nature felt the slight. However, she
+controlled her emotion, and went off to Portfront with Mrs Gabriel.
+There the cheque was cashed, and Mrs Jeal became possessed of a thousand
+pounds in Bank of England notes--she would take no other.
+
+"And there's the certificate," she said to Mrs Gabriel.
+
+"Thank God!" cried that lady, seizing it, "now I'm free of that man. If
+he comes to Colester again I'll put him in gaol. And you, hussey, I'll
+have you ducked."
+
+"I said you would talk like that," jeered Mrs Jeal. "A lucky thing I
+have the notes. Good-day, Miss Haverleigh!" And with this last insulting
+speech, which she knew was untrue, Mrs Jeal went away. What became of
+her no one ever heard. But creatures like Mrs Jeal always fall on their
+feet like cats, perhaps because they have so much of the cat nature in
+them. Mrs Gabriel, rejoicing in her freedom, returned to Colester, and
+became more domineering than ever. Whether Pratt guessed that his wife
+would tell her the truth, it is impossible to say. But he never came
+near Mrs Gabriel again, nor did he write to her. If he had, she would
+have set to work to trace him out and have him arrested. With the
+certificate of marriage it was easy for Mrs Gabriel to prove that she
+had been deceived by a villain, and she would have had no hesitation in
+making the affair public. Pratt knew this, and knew her savage nature.
+He therefore kept away, and Mrs Gabriel, unrestrained by any fear,
+became more of a tyrant than ever.
+
+She refused to come to Leo's wedding, or even to see him, intimating to
+Sybil, who called upon her to entreat her to be reconciled to the new
+Lord Morven, that she hated both of them. Mrs Gabriel went away to
+London for six months, and amused herself by hunting for Pratt. In the
+meantime, Lord Morven and Sybil were married. Also Raston was united to
+his Peggy on the same day--Mrs Bathurst bore up heroically. Only she
+regretted that she had not known of Leo's true parentage. He might have
+married Peggy. "She would grace a title," said Mrs Bathurst.
+
+"And now," said Lord Kilspindie, when the wedding was at an end, "we
+will go to our own place and take the cup with us."
+
+So it came about that the Pagan Cup, which was the luck of the Grants,
+was replaced in Kilspindie Castle. There was a brave home-coming for the
+long-lost son and his bride. And there Lord and Lady Morven lived
+beloved by all. It was a happy ending to Leo's troubles.
+
+After a time Mr Tempest found that he could not live without his
+daughter, so he took up his residence in Kilspindie Castle as a kind of
+chaplain. Pearl was already established at the castle, and constituted
+herself the guardian of the cup, which in her mad fancy she still called
+the Holy Grail. No one tried to undeceive her. But there is no danger of
+the cup being lost again while Pearl looks after it. And that is a good
+thing for the Grants, since their luck is wound up in its possession.
+"And who would doubt the truth of the tradition!" said Kilspindie,
+"seeing that three times the legend has come true."
+
+Raston succeeded Mr Tempest as vicar of Colester, as Mrs Gabriel rather
+approved of him. Thus it was that Mrs Bathurst came to think herself
+entitled to interfere in parish affairs as the mother-in-law of the
+vicar. She and Mrs Gabriel fought bitterly, and still fight over the
+affairs of the kingdom. Raston and Peggy take no notice. They are
+perfectly happy.
+
+Pratt wrote one letter to Lord Morven telling him that he was going to
+lead a new and decent life in South America, and asking the young man
+not to think too badly of him. As he gave no address, Leo could not
+answer the letter, so he burnt it and said nothing about it save to his
+father. "There was some good in Pratt," said Lord Morven.
+
+"Well, yes," assented Kilspindie; "he was a thief, a liar, and a rogue
+in grain. Nevertheless, I believe he had a sincere affection for you, my
+dear boy. He certainly did a kind act when he restored to me my son and
+my cup--"
+
+"And a daughter," said Sybil, who entered at the moment.
+
+"Who is the light of my eyes," said Morven, kissing her. "We are happy
+now, father. After the storm comes the calm."
+
+"Therefore, remember to give thanks," said Mr Tempest, pointing to the
+cup. "I think we can make use of the line on that goblet," and he read
+out in English the inscription, "'To the great God who maketh the heart
+joyful.' The God of Israel," said Mr Tempest, solemnly. "Amen, and
+Amen."
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+ECCENTRICITIES OF GENIUS
+
+By Major J. B. Pond.
+
+
+READ WHAT IS SAID OF IT.
+
+"It is distinctly one of the most interesting books of the year from any
+point of view."--_Rochester Sunday Herald._
+
+"It is many a day since I have read so fascinating a book of
+reminiscences. Many a day--or perhaps I should have said a 'night'--for
+this volume has given me delight during hours, when, according to the
+laws of nature, I should have been asleep."--_Newell Dwight Hillis._
+
+"One of the most simple, naive and straightforward books ever written.
+It fairly reeks with personality.... No man living has had such
+interesting association with so many interesting people."--_Home
+Journal._
+
+"Adorned by many pictures, never before published."--_Detroit Journal._
+
+"Possesses unparalleled attractions."--_Boston Journal._
+
+"Major Pond goes deep into his subject, furnishing pen-portraits that
+are admirably clear and graphic."--_The Mail and Express._
+
+"The whole book, stuffed as it is with anecdotes and extracts from
+personal letters, is marvelously interesting."--_Boston Transcript._
+
+"All the world loves a teller of stories, and readers will surely take
+approvingly to the man who gives them so much of entertaining reading as
+is found in Major Pond's 600 pages of bright personal description."--_N.
+Y. Times._
+
+"Shining by reflected light, its pages literally teem with interesting
+anecdotes of many sorts."--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+"Originality stamps the volume, copiously illustrated with
+portraits."--_The Boston Globe._
+
+"It has a thousand charms, and a thousand points of interest. It is full
+of striking gems of thought, rare descriptions of men and places,
+biographical bits that delight one by their variety, and the distinction
+of those alluded to. From a literary view it is as interesting as
+Disraeli's famous 'Curiosities of Literature.'"--_Philadelphia Item._
+
+"If any more charming and interesting book has appeared this season, it
+has not come to our notice. The get-up is worthy of the matter of the
+book."--_Philadelphia Evening Telegraph._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is a handsome octavo volume, 53/4 x 83/4 inches, of 620 pages, with
+nearly 100 half-tone portrait illustrations. Beautifully bound in
+English silk cloth, with gold stamp on side, gilt top. At all
+Bookstores. $3.50.
+
+
+
+THE VOYAGE OF ITHOBAL
+
+BY
+
+SIR EDWIN ARNOLD
+
+
+Ithobal was the first African explorer we know about. He was a sea
+captain of Tyre, who rescued and married an African Princess, and then
+induced the King of Egypt to put him in charge of a voyage of
+exploration of the wonderful land of his wife's birth.
+
+After a voyage of fifteen thousand miles around Africa, he returns after
+numerous and exciting adventures, which bring out almost every feature
+of African life and scenery. Ithobal relates the story of his enterprise
+in a discourse of seven days before the throne of Pharaoh, who crowns
+him with honors.
+
+SIR HENRY M. STANLEY, in a letter to the author, says of it:--"You have
+added greatly to the happiness of many of your race by the production
+of so unique a poem, so rich in the beauties of the sweet English
+language."
+
+Other able critics who have read the blind poet's new epic poem unite
+in calling it even better than the old favorite, "The Light of Asia."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_12mo, Cloth, Gilt Top. Illustrated from 36 drawings by Arthur Lumley.
+$1.50_
+
+
+
+EQUAL PARTNERS.
+
+ By HOWARD FIELDING. "This is a thoroughly enjoyable detective
+  story, written in good, crisp style, and with a decided surprise
+  in the last pages. It is adroitly contrived that almost every
+  character in the book shall be suspected of the crime of attempted
+  murder before the actual culprit is discovered. The characters are
+  excellently differentiated, and the story is vastly diverting, nor
+  are there any repulsive features about the book. It is a stirring
+  tale and will enliven a dull evening successfully."--_Chicago
+  Tribune._ Illustrated. Cloth bound.                        $1.25
+
+
+DORIS KINGSLEY, Child and Colonist.
+
+ By EMMA RAYNER, author of "Free to Serve," "In Castle and Colony,"
+  etc. This story of the South in the first half of the eighteenth
+  century, opens with one of the strangest episodes in the early
+  history of South Carolina--the pursuit and capture by the Governor
+  of Carolina of a pirate vessel, full, not of treasure, but of
+  English men and women; and the selling of those same unfortunate
+  voyagers as bond servants in the colony. Doris Kingsley, a child
+  stolen from the streets of London, is the youngest of the party,
+  and is the heroine of the story. Doris Kingsley is a novel of
+  absorbing interest, dramatic and historically true.
+  Illustrated. Cloth bound.                                  $1.50
+
+
+OLD JED PROUTY (A Narrative of the Penobscot).
+
+ By RICHARD GOLDEN and MARY C. FRANCIS. In "Old Jed Prouty" the
+  reading public is presented with a New England character story of
+  unusual interest and merit. The plot, although not an involved
+  one, hides enough mystery to lend the spice of the unknown to the
+  reader's zest, and the simple and natural denouement emphasizes
+  the high moral ethics of the story, and throws into strong relief
+  the deep human sentiments that dominate the tale. Standing out
+  above all, infusing into the fiber of every chapter the rugged
+  sincerity, the homely wit and the quaint philosophy of New
+  England, is the central character about which the pivot of the
+  story turns, "Old Jed Prouty," real in name and real in goodness,
+  who at the time of his life, some thirty years since, was a
+  landmark in the Valley of the Penobscot. Cloth bound.      $1.50
+
+
+A MASTER OF FORTUNE, being Further Adventures of "Captain Kettle."
+
+ By CUTCLIFFE HYNE. "It has the dash and tinge of reality that makes
+  you feel as if you were in the midst of it all."--_Detroit Free
+  Press._
+
+ "The many readers who followed with bated breath the wild
+  adventures of Captain Kettle in the book named for him, will
+  welcome Cutcliffe Hyne's new collection of tales dealing with
+  that remarkable sea dog. The volume is well called 'A Master
+  of Fortune.'"--_Philadelphia Press._
+
+ "Nobody who has followed the gallant sailor--diminutive, but oh,
+  my!--in his previous adventures around the earth, is going to
+  miss this red-hot volume of marvelous exploits."--_N. Y. World._
+  Illustrated. Cloth bound.                                  $1.50
+
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN KETTLE.
+
+ By CUTCLIFFE HYNE. The best sea story since the days of Marryat.
+  Captain Kettle is a devil-may-care sea dog, half pirate and half
+  preacher. The author carries him through many hairbreadth escapes
+  and makes him a character that will live long in the annals of
+  fiction. The success of this book is marvelous. Over 80,000 copies
+  have been sold. Illustrated. Cloth bound.                  $1.50
+
+
+THE MULLIGANS. A Novel.
+
+ By EDWARD HARRIGAN. The _New York World_ says: "Mr. Harrigan gave
+  to his Mulligan dramas the most distinctly typical character plays
+  which have ever been seen on the native stage. They were studied
+  and displayed straight from the life of New York and their
+  popularity was unbounded.
+
+ His book is one of the most generally interesting of the new
+  season's output."
+
+ _It is a marvelously entertaining novel, possessing a keenness of
+  wit and humor unsurpassed by any recent work. All the characters
+  stand out, as true to life, as natural and as vivid as if
+  portrayed by Dickens._
+  12mo. Cloth bound. Illustrated. Price,                     $1.50
+
+
+NORMAN HOLT, a Story of the Army of the Cumberland.
+
+ By GENERAL (Capt.) CHARLES KING. "No more charming historic war
+  story has ever been written. It is Captain King's best, and
+  bearing, as it does, on the great battle of Mission Ridge,
+  although the story is woven in fiction, it adds an invaluable
+  record of that gigantic contest between the two great armies."
+
+ "The characters are real, their emotions natural, and the romance
+  that is interwoven is delightful. It is wholesome and one of
+  General King's best, if not his best book."--_N. Y. Journal._
+
+ "From the first chapter to the last page the interest of the reader
+  never fags. General King has written no more brilliant or stirring
+  novel than 'Norman Holt.'"--_N. Y. Press._
+  Illustrated, cloth bound.                                  $1.25
+
+
+JOHN HENRY, (25th Thousand.)
+
+ By HUGH MCHUGH. "'John Henry' has just 'butted' its way in between
+  the literary bars and capered over the book counters to the tune
+  of twelve thousand copies before its publishers could recover
+  their breath.
+
+ "Every page is as catchy as a bar from a popular song.
+
+ "The slang is as correct, original and smart as the newest
+  handshake from London.
+
+ "In the lottery of humorous books 'John Henry' seems to approximate
+  the capital prize."--_N. Y. Journal._
+
+ "All who have laughed over 'Billy Baxter' will heartily enjoy this
+  book."--_The Bookseller, Newsdealer and Stationer._
+  Cloth bound.                                               $0.75
+
+
+THE KING OF HONEY ISLAND, (45th Thousand.)
+
+ By MAURICE THOMPSON, author of "Alice of Old Vincennes," etc. "'The
+  King of Honey Island' bears quite as many marks of the genius of
+  the author as does 'Alice of Old Vincennes,' with the additional
+  charm, perhaps of more buoyancy and beauty of thought and
+  expression. In 'Alice' Mr. Thompson plumed himself as a master
+  word painter. In 'The King of Honey Island' he developed into a
+  veritable American Ouida, for his descriptive powers are
+  marvelous. Like the true artist that he was, he paints Nature as
+  it looks, not as it is, so that the reader, in glimpsing the
+  battle of New Orleans, hears, almost, the cannon's roar."--_The
+  Topeka Capital._ Illustrated, cloth bound.                 $1.50
+
+
+JOHN WINSLOW.
+
+ By HENRY D. NORTHROP. "'John Winslow' is one of those inviting
+  books of country life of which the best part of 'Eben Holden' has
+  come to be the accepted type. Plenty of shrewd common sense in the
+  chief character, a dash of love on the side, an incidental and
+  inevitable bit of human wickedness--but everything in the picture
+  and the framing attractive. This is a book for a wide reach among
+  readers."--_N. Y. World._
+
+ "Properly ranks with 'Eben Holden,' 'David Harum,' and 'Quincy
+  Adams Sawyer.' The four may be put in a class by themselves as
+  distinctive types of homespun Americans."--_The North American._
+
+ "Worthy to live with 'David Harum' and 'Eben
+  Holden.'"--_Publishers' Weekly._
+  12mo, illustrated, cloth bound.                            $1.50
+
+
+UNDER A LUCKY STAR, a New Book on Astrology.
+
+ By CHARLOTTE ABELL WALKER. Tells what occupation to adopt, and what
+  line of life to follow, what associates and partners to choose,
+  how to recognize the possibilities and limitations of our friends
+  and ourselves, and of other important matters to human life,
+  including suggestions on marriage, being mainly culled from the
+  minds of ancient and modern philosophers.
+  Illustrated, cloth bound.                                  $1.50
+
+
+THE WAY OF A MAN WITH A MAID.
+
+ By FRANCES GORDEN FANE. A clever, well-written story, full of love
+  and pathos, and thrilling with dramatic crises. Each step of the
+  domestic tragedy is skilfully portrayed, until the final climax is
+  reached.
+
+ "Its author has made it a powerful, telling story to read."--_N. Y.
+  World._ Cloth bound.                                       $1.50
+
+
+THE CROSSROADS OF DESTINY, a Story of Chivalry in the Fifteenth Century.
+
+ By JOHN P. RITTER. Author of "The Man Who Dared." This is a
+  wonderfully interesting story, and will find a welcome with all
+  who love to read of deeds of chivalry.
+
+ "It is a clean, clear and clever story of chivalry at its best, and
+  will find a great many well-pleased readers."--_New York World._
+  Cloth bound, illustrated.                                  $1.25
+
+
+A CHEQUE FOR THREE THOUSAND.
+
+ By ARTHUR HENRY VEYSEY. (Tenth edition.) It's a jolly good story,
+  bright and clear. Dramatic, full of life and action and a
+  brilliant farce from end to end. You cannot put it down until
+  you finish it, and you will mention it many a time when you
+  want to relate something novel and odd among your friends.
+  Attractively bound in cloth.                               $1.00
+
+
+A PEDIGREE IN PAWN.
+
+ By ARTHUR HENRY VEYSEY. Author of "A Cheque for Three Thousand,"
+  which has run into its _seventh edition_. Original, bright,
+  sparkling fun runs all through "A Pedigree in Pawn." It will be
+  talked about and laughed over more than any other book of the
+  year. Illustrated with 14 character drawings. Cloth bound. $1.25
+
+
+HATS OFF.
+
+ By ARTHUR HENRY VEYSEY. Author of "A Cheque for Three Thousand,"
+  etc. A splendid story for summer reading. Are you tired, blue?
+  Read HATS OFF! Do you want a story for the hammock? Read HATS OFF!
+  Do you want a story with "go," with an original plot? Read HATS
+  OFF! Do you want to laugh? Read HATS OFF! Cloth bound.     $1.25
+                                            Paper covers.       50
+
+
+THE STATEROOM OPPOSITE.
+
+ By ARTHUR HENRY VEYSEY. Author of "A Cheque for Three Thousand,"
+  etc. Is a well balanced detective story. It is not overdrawn as
+  such books usually are, but full of mysterious and vital interest.
+  It is a departure from Mr. Veysey's previous humorous style in "A
+  Cheque for Three Thousand," and "A Pedigree in Pawn," proving him
+  to be a remarkably versatile writer. Most of the events take place
+  on shipboard. It is a powerful story, with a most dramatic climax,
+  and inimitably original characters. Cloth bound.           $1.25
+                                      Paper covers.             50
+
+
+CLEO THE MAGNIFICENT; or, The Muse of the Real.
+
+ By LOUIS ZANGWILL. _The Boston Times_ says: "The story is drawn
+  with a master hand and the characters stand forth in clear relief.
+  It is in every way worthy of Mr. Zangwill's reputation." One of
+  the best novels of the year. Cloth bound.                  $1.50
+
+
+THE MAID OF BOCASSE.
+
+ By MAY HALSEY MILLER. Author of "Raoul and Iron Hand." This is a
+  delightful fourteenth-century romance. The Maid of Bocasse was
+  the orphan daughter of a rich count, who dwelt in the Kingdom
+  of Navarre. A Gascon knight made a daring attempt to win the
+  fair chatelaine and her estates, and the entire story is one of
+  struggle, heroism, love, and passion. It is a romance of strength
+  and power. Cloth bound, illustrated,                       $1.50
+
+
+WIDOW MAGOOGIN.
+
+ By JOHN J. JENNINGS. The inimitable widow's philosophy on the
+  topics of the day, spoken in her own dialect, is wonderfully
+  funny. As a critic, the "Irish widow" touches upon the foibles of
+  fads and fashions with masterly sarcasm, and Mr. Jennings, in his
+  art, has characterized her with skilful touches true to Nature.
+  Cloth bound,                                               $1.25
+
+
+THE SONG OF THE SWORD, A Romance of 1796.
+
+ By LEO DITRICHSTEIN. This author needs no introduction to the
+  public. In this thrilling story he displays a perfect wealth of
+  plots and critical situations. It is an excellent work, fine and
+  subtle, with many exciting scenes. A spirit of chivalrous romance
+  exudes from each chapter. There is, in fact, an odor of romance
+  all about it. The work spent on the central figures is splendid,
+  and the entire book satisfies the demand for combined
+  entertainment and interest in a historical novel.
+  Cloth bound, illustrated,                                  $1.50
+
+
+FATHER ANTHONY.
+
+ By ROBERT BUCHANAN. "One of the most touching and dramatic stories
+  ever written in connection with Irish life. It is a heart-stirring
+  story; and it is the more attractive because Mr. Buchanan writes
+  of Irish life from personal knowledge, and describes places and
+  people with which, and with whom, he has had a long familiarity.
+  Father John is a typical Irish character. Mr. Buchanan has
+  never conceived a more finely-drawn character than Father
+  Anthony. The book can be heartily commended to all classes of
+  readers."--_London Weekly Sun._ Ten editions have been sold in
+  London. Cloth bound,                                       $1.50
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
+
+
+1. Printer's errors were silently corrected.
+
+2. The author's punctuation style as well as archaic and variable
+spelling has been preserved.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pagan's Cup, by Fergus Hume
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