, not a
"silly wench" whose head was likely to be turned by compliments.

"What sort of man is he?" he asked. "Abel don't seem to think much of
him anyhow."

"You'll like his company; he talks well, and knows a lot. Abel's not
accustomed to a man like this," said Jane.

"It puzzles me what he is doing at a place like Little Trent," said her
father.

"He told me he came across the Sherwood Inn when he was motoring and
thought it just the place for him to work quietly in," she said.

"A surveyor, Abel says; not much he don't find out," said Tom.

"There's company at The Forest," said Jane. "A beautiful lady, almost
a match for Miss Berkeley."

"Never a match for her, there couldn't be; she's the most beautiful
woman of her time, and also a good 'un; I often think Mr. Chesney is a
fool not to marry her," said Tom.

"Perhaps she'll not have him, Father; he may have asked her," answered
Jane.

"I saw him to-day," said Tom.

"Mr. Chesney?"

"Yes; he gave me a present, and there's one for you, Jane. Here it is;
he never forgets folks when he has a win," said Tom, handing her a
small parcel.

Jane opened it eagerly, then gave a gasp and an exclamation of
delighted surprise.

"Isn't it beautiful, Father! How good of him!" And she showed him a
small horseshoe brooch set with rubies; it was an exquisite piece of
jewelry.

"Must have cost a tidy bit," said Tom, as he handled it tenderly.

CHAPTER VIII

FRASER'S INFORMATION

Duncan Fraser sat in his private room at the brewery in deep thought;
no one interrupted him: he gave orders and they were never disobeyed.
A stern-looking man, not given to making many friends, yet there was a
kindly heart beneath a severe exterior. The manager of a great
concern, he was admirably suited to the position, accustomed to handle
and make decisions promptly, no shilly-shallying or "wait and see"
about his actions. Very few people were aware he possessed unique
opportunities of getting behind the scenes, learning government moves,
acquiring knowledge beforehand which was advantageous in his dealings.

Information had recently come to him from a valued and trusted
correspondent in Germany, and he was considering how best to use it to
the advantage of the firm. The heavy taxes on the brewers hit
Chesney's hard, but they were able to stand them better than most
firms; still he knew there must be a considerable diminution in
dividends, consequently in Alan Chesney