nto which the sun had sunk had begun to drop rain in an
increasing volume.

'Can we wait somewhere here till this shower is over?' said Stephen
desultorily.

'As you will. But it is not worth while. We'll hear the particulars, and
return. Don't let people know who we are. I am not much now.'

They had reached a point at which the road branched into two--just
outside the west village, one fork of the diverging routes passing into
the latter place, the other stretching on to East Endelstow. Having come
some of the distance by the footpath, they now found that the hearse was
only a little in advance of them.

'I fancy it has turned off to East Endelstow. Can you see?'

'I cannot. You must be mistaken.'

Knight and Stephen entered the village. A bar of fiery light lay across
the road, proceeding from the half-open door of a smithy, in which
bellows were heard blowing and a hammer ringing. The rain had increased,
and they mechanically turned for shelter towards the warm and cosy
scene.

Close at their heels came another man, without over-coat or umbrella,
and with a parcel under his arm.

'A wet evening,' he said to the two friends, and passed by them. They
stood in the outer penthouse, but the man went in to the fire.

The smith ceased his blowing, and began talking to the man who had
entered.

'I have walked all the way from Camelton,' said the latter. 'Was obliged
to come to-night, you know.'

He held the parcel, which was a flat one, towards the firelight, to
learn if the rain had penetrated it. Resting it edgewise on the forge,
he supported it perpendicularly with one hand, wiping his face with the
handkerchief he held in the other.

'I suppose you know what I've got here?' he observed to the smith.

'No, I don't,' said the smith, pausing again on his bellows.

'As the rain's not over, I'll show you,' said the bearer.

He laid the thin and broad package, which had acute angles in different
directions, flat upon the anvil, and the smith blew up the fire to give
him more light. First, after untying the package, a sheet of brown paper
was removed: this was laid flat. Then he unfolded a piece of baize: this
also he spread flat on the paper. The third covering was a wrapper
of tissue paper, which was spread out in its turn. The enclosure was
revealed, and he held it up for the smith's inspection.

'Oh--I see!' said the smith, kindling with a chastened interest, and
drawing close. 'Poor young lady--ah, ter