me. No one ever said such a thing to me
before. It was the first day he called here."

"Does he often call here?"

"Nearly every day. He was here this afternoon while we were up the
river. He said he wanted to see me on most important business."

"I wish I'd seen him."

"You will soon. He's sure to come to-morrow."

"If he does," said the judge, "I'll take the opportunity of having a
talk with him. But tell me more about that curious incident, Milly.
Are you sure he doesn't want to make love to you?"

"Quite. I couldn't possibly be mistaken. Besides, he's married. He
told me that in the most insulting way, so as to prevent my making any
attempt to marry him myself."

"Of course that settles it," said the judge. "I thought for a moment
that he might possibly have some wild idea of marrying you. That would
account for his making the desperate efforts he has made to keep me out
of the place. He'd know that I wouldn't like you to marry a mad
parson. But if it wasn't that, Milly, and after all you've told me it
clearly can't be, what on earth is the idea at the back of his mind?
Why has he arranged for this systematic persecution of me?"

"Are you sure the fishing dispute has nothing to do with it. I can't
think of anything else."

"Unless he's a fool," said the judge, "he can't suppose that my giving
up the fishing would make it any easier for his friend to poach."

"Major Kent wouldn't poach," said Miss King warmly. "He's a gentleman.
If you knew him, Uncle Gilbert, you wouldn't say such things about him."

"You seem to know him very well," said the judge. "Oh yes! You told
me you had been out yachting. Does _he_ often call here?"

"He was here on Sunday afternoon. Yes, and on Tuesday, now I come to
think of it."

"And you were out yachting with him on the Monday in between. That's
not bad for three days, eh, Milly?"

He looked at her keenly as he spoke, and a half smile flickered on his
lips. Miss King blushed slightly, and then, being very angry with
herself for blushing, grew quite red in the face. The judge's smile
broadened.

"From what you've seen of this man Meldon," he said, "would you suppose
that he's a very altruistic sort of person?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is he the sort of man who'd put himself about a great deal and take a
lot of trouble for the sake of doing a good turn to a friend? Do you
think, for instance, that he'd indulge in all sorts of elaborate
practical