ly.

"I don't think you'd better go to London to-night, Mr. Stringer," said
a tall man, stepping out of the door of the booking-office. "I think
you'd better come back with me to Barchester. I do indeed." There
was some little argument on the occasion; but the stranger, who was
a detective policeman, carried his point, and Mr. Dan Stringer did
return to Barchester.

CHAPTER LXXIII

There Is Comfort at Plumstead

[Illustration]

Henry Grantly had written the following short letter to Mrs. Grantly
when he had made up his mind to pull down the auctioneer's bills.

DEAR MOTHER,

I have postponed the sale, not liking to refuse you
anything. As far as I can see, I shall be forced to leave
Cosby Lodge, as I certainly shall do all I can to make
Grace Crawley my wife. I say this that there may be no
misunderstanding with my father. The auctioneer has
promised to have the bills removed.

Your affectionate son,

HENRY GRANTLY.

This had been written by the major on the Friday before Mr. Walker had
brought up to him the tidings of Mr. Toogood and Mrs. Arabin's solution
of the Crawley difficulty; but it did not reach Plumstead till the
following morning. Mrs. Grantly immediately took the glad news about
the sale to her husband,--not of course showing him the letter, being
far too wise for that, and giving him credit for being too wise
to ask for it. "Henry has arranged with the auctioneer," she said
joyfully; "and the bills have been all pulled down."

"How do you know?"

"I've just heard from him. He has told me so. Come, my dear, let me
have the pleasure of hearing you say that things shall be pleasant
again between you and him. He has yielded."

"I don't see much yielding in it."

"He has done what you wanted. What more can he do?"

"I want him to come over here, and take an interest in things, and
not treat me as though I were nobody." Within an hour of this the
major arrived at Plumstead, laden with the story of Mrs. Arabin and
the cheque, and of Mr. Crawley's innocence,--laden not only with such
tidings as he had received from Mr. Walker, but also with further
details, which he had received from Mr. Toogood. For he had come
through Barchester, and had seen Mr. Toogood on his way. This was on
the Saturday morning, and he had breakfasted with Mr. Toogood at "The
Dragon of Wantly". Mr. Toogood had told him of his suspicions,--how
the red-nosed man had been stopped and h