regiment; but the bishop has sent for him to come
to Beorminster, so I expect he will be here within the week.'

'I am glad of that, Mr Cargrim, as I wish to ask Captain Pendle a few
questions.'

'Do you suspect him?'

'I can't rightly say, sir,' answered Baltic, wiping his face with the
red bandanna. 'Later on I may form an opinion. Mr Gabriel Pendle comes
to The Derby Winner sometimes, I see.'

'Yes; he is in love with the barmaid there.'

Baltic looked up sharply. 'Mosk's daughter, sir?'

'The same. He wants to marry Bell Mosk.'

'Does--he--indeed?' drawled the agent, flicking his thumb nail against
his teeth. 'Well, Mr Cargrim, he might do worse. There is a lot of good
in that young woman, sir. Mr Gabriel Pendle has lately returned from
abroad, I hear.'

'Yes, from Nauheim.' 'That is in Germany, I take it, sir. Did he travel
on a Cook's ticket, do you know?'

'I believe he did.'

'Oh! humph! I'll say good-bye, then, Mr Cargrim, for the present. I
shall see you when I return from London.'

'Are you going to ask about Gabriel's ticket at Cook's?'

'There's no telling, sir. I may look in.'

'Do you think that Gab--'

'I think nothing as yet, Mr Cargrim; when I do, I'll tell you my
thoughts. Good-day, sir! God bless you!' And Baltic, with a satisfied
expression on his face, rolled away in a nautical manner.

'God bless me indeed!' muttered Cargrim, in much displeasure, for
neither the speech nor the manner of the man pleased him. 'Ugh! I wish
Baltic would stick to either religion or business. At present he is a
kind of moral hermaphrodite, good for neither one thing nor another. I
wonder if he suspects the bishop or his two sons? I don't believe Dr
Pendle is innocent; but if he is, either George or Gabriel is guilty.
Well, if that is so, I'll still be able to make the bishop give me
Heathcroft. He will rather do that than see one of his sons hanged and
the name disgraced. Still, I hope Baltic will bring home the crime to
his lordship.'

With this amiable wish, Mr Cargrim quickened his pace to catch up with
Miss Whichello, whom he saw tripping across the square towards the Jenny
Wren house. The little old lady looked rosy and complacent, at peace
with herself and the whole of Beorminster. Nevertheless, her expression
changed when she saw Mr Cargrim sliding gracefully towards her, and she
received him with marked coldness. As yet she had not forgiven him for
his unauthorised interference on behalf of