ll on a track towards discovery of the truth. But he
found that she had the clue in her hand, and that the clue was one
which required no further delicacy of investigation. There would be
nothing more to unravel; no journey to Jerusalem would be necessary!

"Yes," said Mrs. Arabin, "I gave it to him. They have been writing to
my husband about it, and never wrote to me; and till I received a
letter about it from my father, and another from my sister, at Venice
the day before yesterday, I knew nothing of the particulars of Mr
Crawley's trouble."

"Had you not heard that he had been taken before the magistrates?"

"No; not so much even as that. I had seen in _Galignani_ something
about a clergyman, but I did not know what clergyman; and I heard
that there was something wrong about Mr. Crawley's money, but there
has always been something wrong about money with poor Mr. Crawley;
and as I knew that my husband had been written to also, I did not
interfere, further than to ask the particulars. My letters have
followed me about, and I only learned at Venice, just before I came
here, what was the nature of the case."

"And did you do anything?"

"I telegraphed at once to Mr. Toogood, who I understand is acting as
Mr. Crawley's solicitor. My sister sent me his address."

"He is my uncle."

"I telegraphed to him, telling him that I had given Mr. Crawley the
cheque, and then I wrote to Archdeacon Grantly giving him the whole
history. I was obliged to come here before I could return home, but
I intended to start this evening."

"And what is the whole history?" asked John Eames.

The history of the gift of the cheque was very simple. It has been
told how Mr. Crawley in his dire distress had called upon his old
friend at the deanery asking for pecuniary assistance. This he had
done with so much reluctance that his spirit had given way while
he was waiting in the dean's library, and he had wished to depart
without accepting what the dean was quite willing to bestow upon
him. From this cause it had come to pass there had been no time for
explanatory words, even between the dean and his wife,--from whose
private funds had in truth come the money which had been given to Mr
Crawley. For the private wealth of the family belonged to Mrs. Arabin,
and not to the dean; and was left entirely in Mrs. Arabin's hands,
to be disposed of as she might please. Previously to Mr. Crawley's
arrival at the deanery this matter had been discussed b