He was a fearless man and the presence of John during the afternoon had completely dissolved that nervous presentiment of evil he had felt before his guest's coming.

But in the short walk of scarcely half a mile, from the vicarage to the cottage, his thoughts had become entirely absorbed in considering Mrs.Goddard's strange position, and for the moment John was quite forgotten.

He entered the park and the long iron latch of the wooden gate fell into its socket behind him with a sharp click.

Mr.Juxon walked quickly on and Stamboul trod noiselessly behind him.

At about a hundred yards from the gate the avenue turned sharply to the right, winding about a little elevation in the ground, where the trees stood thicker than elsewhere.