great Walker, and though
John Walker was the great man's son, I fear that the news reached
their ears in but an underhand sort of way. As for the great man
himself, he never went near the club, preferring his slippers and
tea at home. The Walkerian groom, rushing up the street to the
"George and Vulture", paused a moment to tell his tidings to the club
porter; from the club porter it was whispered respectfully to the
Silverbridge apothecary, who, by special grace, was a member of the
club;--and was by him repeated with much cautious solemnity over the
card-table. "Who told you that, Balsam?" said John Walker, throwing
down his cards.

"I've just heard it," said Balsam.

"I don't believe it," said John.

"I shouldn't wonder if it's true," said Winthrop. "I always said that
something would turn up."

"Will you bet three to one he is not found guilty?" said John Walker.

"Done," said Winthrop; "in pounds." That morning the odds in the club
against the event had been only two to one. But as the matter was
discussed, the men in the club began to believe the tidings, and
before he went home, John Walker would have been glad to hedge his
bet on any terms. After he had spoken to his father, he gave his
money up for lost.

But Mr. Walker,--the great Walker,--had more to do that night before
his son came home from the club. He and Mr. Toogood agreed that it
would be right that they should see Dr. Tempest at once, and they went
over together to the rectory. It was past ten at this time, and they
found the doctor almost in the act of putting out the candles for
the night. "I could not but come to you, doctor," said Mr. Walker,
"with the news my friend has brought. Mrs. Arabin gave the cheque to
Crawley. Here is a telegram from her saying so." And the telegram was
handed to the doctor.

He stood perfectly silent for a few minutes, reading it over and over
again. "I see it all," he said, when he spoke at last. "I see it all
now; and I must own I was never before so much puzzled in my life."

"I own I can't see why she should have given him Mr. Soames's cheque,"
said Mr. Walker.

"I can't say where she got it, and I own I don't much care," said Dr
Tempest. "But I don't doubt but what she gave it him without telling
the dean, and that Crawley thought it came from the dean. I'm very
glad. I am, indeed, very glad. I do not know that I ever pitied a man
so much in my life as I have pitied Mr. Crawley."

"It must have been a