s were vain, the
doctor threw one glance of pity on his prostrate form, and with a sigh
passed out of the room.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE CONFESSION OF BISHOP PENDLE

Mr Cargrim was very much out of temper, and Baltic was the cause of his
unchristian state of mind. As the employer of the so-called missionary
and actual inquiry agent, the chaplain expected to be informed of every
fresh discovery, but with this view Baltic did not concur. In his solemn
way he informed Cargrim that he preferred keeping his information and
methods and suspicions to himself until he was sure of capturing the
actual criminal. When the man was lodged in Beorminster Jail--when his
complicity in the crime was proved beyond all doubt--then Baltic
promised to write out, for the edification of his employer, a detailed
account of the steps taken to bring about so satisfactory a result. And
from this stern determination all Cargrim's arguments failed to move
him.

This state of things was the more vexatious as Cargrim knew that the
ex-sailor had seen Mother Jael, and shrewdly suspected that he had
obtained from the beldam valuable information likely to incriminate the
bishop. Whether his newly-found evidence did so or not, Baltic gravely
declined to say, and Cargrim was furious at being left in ignorance. He
was particularly anxious that Dr Pendle's guilt should be proved without
loss of time, as Mr Leigh of Heathcroft was sinking rapidly, and on any
day a new rector might be needed for that very desirable parish.
Certainly Cargrim, as he fondly imagined, had thwarted Gabriel's
candidature by revealing the young man's love for Bell Mosk to the
bishop. Still, even if Gabriel were not nominated, Dr Pendle had plainly
informed Cargrim that he need not expect the appointment, so the
chaplain foresaw that unless he obtained power over the bishop before
Leigh's death, the benefice would be given to some stranger. It was no
wonder, then, that he resented the silence of Baltic and felt enraged at
his own impotence. He almost regretted having sought the assistance of a
man who appeared more likely to be a hindrance than a help. For once,
Cargrim's scheming brain could devise no remedy.

Lurking about the library as usual, Mr Cargrim was much astonished to
receive a visit from Dr Graham. Of course, the visit was to the bishop,
but Cargrim, being alone in the library, came forward in his silky,
obsequious way to receive the new-comer, and politely asked