ant one. And the rest of
the time was spent in discussing this news from a far-away land.

"Strange, isn't it?" said Sir Luke, thereafter, Percival having gone out
of the room. "Just as we were talking over Hilary, and here this bit of
news comes right in upon us from outside. If Percy hadn't brought back
that paper we might never have heard it."

"Looks like an omen, doesn't it, Luke?" laughed the Canon. "Looks as if
he were to be instrumental in bringing Hilary back."

"I hope to Heaven he may. I say, Dick, old friend, I'm more than glad
you turned in here to-day, in time to make me put that abominable draft
in the fire."

"Will you walk back with me a little way, Percy?" said the Canon as he
was taking his leave, having refused Sir Luke's offer to send him back
on wheels.

"Why rather. Wait, I'll just get my bike. I can wheel it along, and
ride it back."

They passed down the village street together, nodding here and there to
an acquaintance, or acknowledging the salutation of a rustic. The
rector of the parish passed them on a bicycle, and the two professors of
rival creeds exchanged a cordial and friendly greeting, for somehow, no
one was anything other than friendly with Canon Lenthall. But it was
not until they had left the village behind and had gained the open
country that he began to discourse seriously with his younger friend as
to the matter of which both were thinking.

"Let me see. How long is it since you saw Hilary?" he began.

"Oh, about half a dozen years--just before he got into that--er--mess.
What a splendid chap he was, Canon. I've sometimes thought Uncle Luke
was a bit hard on him that time."

"You're quite wrong, Percy. Hard is the one thing your uncle could not
be. Why, he's the softest hearted man in existence."

"Yes, I know. But, does he really want me to go out there and hunt up
Hilary?"

"I believe so. As a matter of fact, we happened to be discussing that
very thing just before you came in. It was a strange coincidence that
you should unconsciously have brought the news you did."

Percival whistled. "Were you really? Strange indeed. Well, I'm on for
the scheme. It doesn't matter if I enter at the Temple now, or in six
or eight months' time--and, what an experience it'll be in the mean
time."

They were nearing Passmore, and the chimneys and spires of the town were
growing larger and larger in front of them--and already the haze of
smoke was dimming the