'Send him to me, doctor. I must speak to him.'

'You won't scold him for seeing me first, I hope.'

'Scold him,' said the bishop, with a melancholy smile. 'Alas, my friend,
the situation is too serious for scolding!'

CHAPTER XXXI

MR BALTIC ON THE TRAIL

What took place at the interview between Gabriel and his father, Dr
Graham never knew; and indeed never sought to know. He was a discreet
man even for a doctor, and meddled with no one's business, unless--as in
the present instance--forced to do so. But even then his discretion
showed itself; for after advising the bishop to tolerate the presence of
Cargrim until Baltic had solved the riddle he was set to guess, and
after sending Gabriel to the palace, he abstained from further inquiries
and discussions in connection with murder and secret. He had every faith
in Baltic, and quite believed that in time the missionary would lay his
hand on the actual murderer. When this was accomplished, and Cargrim's
attempt to gain illegal power over Pendle was thwarted; then--all chance
of a public scandal being at an end--would be the moment to consider how
the bishop should act in reference to his false marriage. Certainly
there was the possible danger that the criminal might learn the secret
from the certificate and papers, and might reveal it when captured; but
Graham thought it best to ignore this difficulty until it should
actually arise. For, after all, such a contingency might not occur.

'The certificate of marriage between Krant and his wife will reveal
nothing to a man unacquainted with Mrs Pendle's previous name; and
without such knowledge he cannot know that she married the bishop while
her first husband was alive. Certainly she might have mentioned Pendle's
name in the letters, but she would not write of him as a lover or as a
possible husband; therefore, unless the assassin knows something of the
story, which is improbable, and unless he can connect the name of Mrs
Krant with Mrs Pendle--which on the face of it is impossible--I do not
see how he is to learn the truth. He may guess, or he may know for
certain, that Jentham received the two hundred pounds from the bishop,
but he cannot guess that the price was paid for certificate and letters,
especially as he found them on the body, and knows that they were not
handed over for the money. No; on the whole, I think Pendle is mistaken;
in my opinion there is no danger to be feared from the assassin,
whomso