yards of the first house in the village, when he
saw a tall figure in uniform approaching, and recognised Watson.

At sight of him the policeman stopped short, and John was conscious of a
moment's vague impression of something strange in Watson's looks.

However, Watson shook hands with great friendliness.

'Well, I'm glad to see yer, John, I'm sure. An now, I s'pose, you're
back for good?'

'Aye. I'm not goin away no more. I've done my share--I wants a bit o'
rest.'

'Of coorse yer do. You've been ill, 'aven't yer? You look like it. An
yer puttin up at Costrells'?'

'Yes, till I can turn round a bit. 'Ave yer seen anythin ov 'em? 'Ow's
Bessie?'

Watson faced back towards the village.

'I'll walk with yer a bit--I'm in no 'urry. Oh, she's all right. You
'eard of her bit o' money?'

John opened his eyes.

'Noa, I don know as I did.'

'It wor an aunt o' hers, soa I understan--quite a good bit o' money.'

'Did yer iver hear the name?' said John, eagerly.

'Some one livin at Bedford, I did 'ear say.'

John laughed, not without good-humoured relief. It would have touched
his vanity had his niece been discovered to be richer than himself.

'Oh, that's old Sophy Clarke,' he said. 'Her 'usband bought the lease o'
two little 'ouses in Church Street, and they braaet 'er in six shillins a
week for years, an she allus said she'd leave it to Bessie if she wor
took afore the lease wor up. But the lease ull be up end o' next year I
know, for I saw the old lady myself last Michaelmas twelvemonth, an she
told me all about it, though I worn't to tell nobody meself. An I didn't
know Sophy wor gone. Ah, well! it's not much, but it's 'andy--it's
'andy.'

'Six shillins a week!' said Watson, raising his eyebrows. 'It's a nice
bit o' money while it lassts, but I'd ha thought Mrs. Costrell 'ad come
into a deal more nor that.'

'Oh, but she's sich a one to spend, is Bessie,' said John, anxiously.
'It's surprisin 'ow the money runs. It's sixpence 'ere, an sixpence
there, allus dribblin, an dribblin, out ov 'er. I've allus tole 'er as
she'll end 'er days on the parish.'

'Sixpences!' said Watson, with a laugh. 'It's not sixpences as Mrs.
Costrell's 'ad the spendin of this last month or two--it's _suverins_--
an plenty ov 'em. You may be sure you've got the wrong tale about the
money, John; it wor a deal more nor you say.'

John stood stock-still at the word 'sovereigns,' his jaw dropping.

'_Suverins!_' he said, trembling