ng up uncomfortably.

Mr Rimbolt said nothing more just then. They had a busy hour or two at
Overstone arranging for the comfortable housing of their three
prisoners, until the law should decide as to their more permanent
residence. Then, having taken farewell of the police, and returning
towards the dog-cart, Jeffreys stopped abruptly and said, raising his
hat,--

"Good-bye, sir."

Mr Rimbolt looked at him in surprise.

"You are not going, surely!" said he. "You must come back to the house
with me."

"Thank you; Julius and I have a long journey before us, and must be
starting."

"You are only on a walking tour, you know. There is a great deal to see
round here. The place is worth exploring," said Mr Rimbolt feeling
almost as embarrassed as his companion.

"We shall be back here for the assizes," said Jeffreys.

"Nonsense, my friend!" said Mr Rimbolt, taking the bull by the horns;
"I insist on your coming back with me now, if it's only to ask how Percy
is after his night's excitement. Besides, you have not half explored
the library."

Whether it was the cordiality of this delicate invitation, or the
mention of the library, or both combined, I cannot say; but Jeffreys,
with some misgivings, yielded, and ascended the dog-cart.

"The ladies would never forgive me," said Mr Rimbolt rather unwisely,
"if I let you go without giving them an opportunity of thanking you for
your goodness to Percy."

Jeffreys was sorry he had yielded. Had he only had Mr Rimbolt and the
cool Percy to deal with, he could have resigned himself to the ordeal.
But the threat of being thanked by the ladies quite disconcerted him.

"I'm--I'm afraid I'm not very--tidy," stammered he. "I'd really rather,
if you don't object, go on. Besides, Julius--"

Mr Rimbolt laughed good-humouredly.

"Julius is not shy, and wants breakfast and a rest after his night's
work, don't you, Julius?"

Julius could not deny that he was very ready for both. Jeffreys gave it
up, and with much sinking of heart awaited their arrival at Wildtree
Towers. To his infinite relief, the ladies were not visible. Mrs
Rimbolt, it was reported, was confined to her bed by the effects of her
recent agitation, and Miss Atherton was out. Master Percy was still
fast asleep. It broke the fall considerably to find himself left still
to the gentlemanly and unembarrassing attentions of his host.

Julius was led with honour to the kitchen, there to be regaled in a