It was too certain that there was a chain of events there leading direct to the horrible encounter in the laboratory.

His money had cast a blight where he had hoped to shed a blessing.
Mr.Spurling, the vicar, was up shortly after breakfast, some rumour of evil having come to his ears.

It was good for Haw to talk with him, for the fresh breezy manner of the old clergyman was a corrective to his own sombre and introspective mood.
"Prut, tut!" said he.

"This is very bad--very bad indeed! Mind unhinged, you say, and not likely to get over it! Dear, dear! I have noticed a change in him these last few weeks.

He looked like a man who had something upon his mind.