A MATTER OF HEREDITY Shortly before noon on Monday occurred two events destined to assume a paramount importance in the affair which was wringing the withers of Steynholme.

As in the histories of both men and nations, these first steps in great developments began quietly enough.

For one thing, Furneaux returned to the village.

For another, the London telegraphist, who expected the day to prove practically a blank, was reading a newspaper when the telegraph instrument clicked the local call.
Doris was checking and distributing the stock of stamps which had arrived that morning; her father was counting mail-bags in a small annex to the main room, the Knoleworth office having acquired a habit of making up shortages by docking the country branches.

No member of the public happened to be present.