They walked on in silence, and were met presently by a gentleman who was coming along the village street at a sharp pace.

A lamp discovered Mr.Willis Rodman.

Richard stopped.
'Seen to that little business ?' he asked, in a cheerful voice.
'Yes,' was Rodman's reply.

'We shall hear from Agworth in the morning.' 'All right .-- Alice, this is Mr.Rodman .-- My sister, Rodman.' Richard's right-hand man performed civilities with decidedly more finish than Richard himself had at command.
'I am very happy to meet Miss Mutimer.

I hope we shall have the pleasure of showing her New Wanley to-morrow.' 'She and Miss Waltham will walk down in the morning.