I left the tent considerably discomposed, as you may guess. I
intended to see her on another occasion, but as yet I have not done so.'

'Is it your belief that the woman knows your secret?' asked Graham.

'No. On consideration, I concluded that she knew a little, but not
much--at all events, not sufficient to hurt me in any way. Krant--that
is Jentham--was of gipsy blood, and I fancied that he had seen Mother
Jael, and perhaps, in his boastful way, had hinted at his power over me.
Still, I am quite certain that, for his own sake, he did not reveal my
secret. And after all, Graham, the allusions of Mother Jael were vague
and unsatisfactory, although they disturbed me sufficiently to make me
anxious for the moment.'

'Well, bishop, I agree with you. Mother Jael cannot know much or she
would have spoken plainer. So far as she is concerned, I fancy your
secret is pretty safe; but,' added Graham, with a glance at the door,
'what about Cargrim?'

'He knows nothing, Graham.'

'Perhaps not, but he suspects much.'

'Suspects!' echoed the bishop, in scared tones. 'What can he suspect?'

'That you killed Jentham,' said Graham, quietly.

Dr Pendle looked incredulously at his friend. 'I--I--murder--I
kill--what--Cargrim--says,' he stammered; then asked him with a sharp
rush of speech, 'Is the man mad?'

'No; but he is a scoundrel, as I told you. Listen, bishop,' and in his
rapid way Graham reported to Dr Pendle all that Harry Brace had told him
regarding Cargrim and his schemes.

The bishop listened in incredulous silence; but, almost against his
will, he was obliged to believe in Graham's story. That a man whom he
trusted, whom he had treated with such kindness, should have dug this
pit for him to fall into, was almost beyond belief; and when the truth
of the accusation was forced upon him, he hardly knew what to say about
so great a traitor. But he made up his mind to one thing. 'I shall
dismiss him at once!' he said determinedly.

'No, bishop. It is unwise to drive a rat into a corner; and Cargrim may
prove himself dangerous if sharply treated. Better tolerate his presence
until Baltic discovers the real criminal.'

'I don't like the position,' said the bishop, frowning.

'No man would. However, it is better to temporise than to risk all and
lose all. Better let him remain, Pendle.'

'Very well, Graham, I shall take your advice.'

'Good!' Graham rose to depart. 'And Gabriel?' he asked, with his hand on
the door.