e shot of the assassin or the
cry of the victim. The rain and thunder would in all human probability
have drowned both.'

'Besides which his lordship is neither sharp-eared nor observant,' said
Mrs Pansey, spitefully; 'a man less fitted to be a bishop doesn't live.'

'Oh, dear Mrs Pansey! you are too hard on him.'

'Rubbish! don't tell me! What about his sons, Mr Cargrim? Did they hear
anything?'

'I don't quite follow you, Mrs Pansey.'

'Bless the man, I'm talking English, I hope. Both George and Gabriel
Pendle were on Southberry Heath on Sunday night.'

'Are you sure!' cried the chaplain, doubtful if he heard aright.

'Of course I am sure,' snorted the lady. 'Would I speak so positively if
I wasn't? No, indeed. I got the news from my page-boy.'

'Really! from that sweet little Cyril!'

'Yes, from that worthless scamp Cyril! Cyril,' repeated Mrs Pansey, with
a snort, 'the idea of a pauper like Mrs Jennings giving her brat such a
fine name. Well, it was Cyril's night out on Sunday, and he did not come
home till late, and then made his appearance very wet and dirty. He told
me that he had been on Southberry Heath and had been almost knocked into
a ditch by Mr Pendle galloping past. I asked him which Mr Pendle had
been out riding on Sunday, and he declared that he had seen them
both--George about eight o'clock when he was on the Heath, and Gabriel
shortly after nine, as he was coming home. I gave the wretched boy a
good scolding, no supper, and a psalm to commit to memory!'

'George and Gabriel Pendle riding on Southberry Heath on that night,'
said the chaplain, thoughtfully; 'it is very strange.'

'Strange!' almost shouted Mrs Pansey, 'it's worse than strange--it's
Sabbath-breaking--and their father riding also. No wonder the mystery of
iniquity doth work, when those high in the land break the fourth
commandment; are you going, Mr Cargrim?'

'Yes! I am sorry to leave such charming company, but I have an
engagement. Good-bye, Miss Norsham; your tea was worthy of the fair
hands which made it. Good-bye, Mrs Pansey. Let us hope that the
authorities will discover and punish this unknown Cain.'

'Cain or Jezebel,' said Mrs Pansey, darkly, 'it's one or the other of
them.'

Whether the good lady meant to indicate Miss Whichello by the second
name, Mr Cargrim did not stay to inquire, as he was in a hurry to see
her himself and find out why she had visited the dead-house. He
therefore bowed and smiled himself out