nd the major at the gate of the farmyard attached
to Cosby Lodge, and perceived that at that very moment he was engaged
in superintending the abolition of sundry other auctioneer's bills
from sundry posts. "What is all this about?" said Mr. Walker, greeting
the major. "Is there to be no sale after all?"

[Illustration: "No sale after all?"]

"It has been postponed," said the major.

"Postponed for good, I hope? Bill to be read again this day six
months!" said Mr. Walker.

"I rather think not. But circumstances have induced me to have it put
off."

Mr. Walker had got out of the carriage and had taken Major Grantly
aside. "Just come a little further," he said; "I've something special
to tell you. News reached me last night which will clear Mr. Crawley
altogether. We know now where he got the cheque."

"You don't tell me so!"

"Yes, I do. And though the news has reached us in such a way that we
cannot act upon it till it's confirmed, I do not in the least doubt
it."

"And how did he get it?"

"You cannot guess?"

"Not in the least," said the major; "unless, after all, Soames gave
it to him."

"Soames did not give it to him, but Mrs. Arabin did."

"Mrs. Arabin?"

"Yes, Mrs. Arabin."

"Not the dean?"

"No, not the dean. What we know is this, that your aunt has
telegraphed to Crawley's cousin, Toogood, to say that she gave
Crawley the cheque, and that she has written to your father about it
at length. We do not like to tell Crawley till that letter has been
received. It is so easy, you know, to misunderstand a telegram, and
the wrong copying of a word may make such a mistake!"

"When was it received?"

"Toogood received it in London only yesterday morning. Your father
will not get his letter, as I calculate, till the day after
to-morrow. But, perhaps, you had better go over and see him, and
prepare him for it. Toogood has gone to Barchester this morning."
To this proposition Grantly made no immediate answer. He could not
but remember the terms on which he had left his father; and though
he had, most unwillingly, pulled down the auctioneer's bills, in
compliance with his mother's last prayer to him,--and, indeed, had
angrily told the auctioneer to send him his bill when the auctioneer
had demurred to these proceedings,--nevertheless he was hardly
prepared to discuss the matter of Mr. Crawley with his father in
pleasant words,--in words which should be full of rejoicing. It
was a great thing for him, H