an."

CHAPTER XXXII.

ANOTHER SURPRISE.

Among those present the only one who came to the assistance of Jonas
Kink was his brother-in-law, Thomas Rocliffe, who, thinking that
Bideabout was going to have a fit, ran to him and unloosed his
black satin cravat.

The revulsion of feeling in the rest was so sudden that it produced
a laugh. He who had been exulting in having put their necks under
his foot had been himself struck down in the moment of his triumph.
He had sought to humble them in a manner peculiarly mean, and no
compassion was felt for him now in his distress.

The guests filed out without a word of thanks for the meal of which
they had partaken, or an expression of pity for the downcast man.

For some while Bideabout remained motionless, looking at the letter
before him on the table. Mehetabel did not venture to approach or
address him. She watched him with anxiety, not knowing in which
direction the brooding rage within him would break forth. He was
now like a thunder-cloud charged with electricity and threatening
all with whom he came in contact.

Hearing the wail of her child, she was glad noiselessly to leave
the room and hasten to comfort it. Presently Jonas rose, and in a
half stupefied condition went to the stable and saddled old Clutch
that he might ride to Godalming and learn whether things were as
bad as represented.

In his impatience to announce to his guests that he had them under
his control he had been somewhat premature. It was true that the
negotiations were complete whereby their mortgages and obligations
were transferred to him, but the money that he was to pay therefor
had not been made over. Now it would not be possible for him to
complete the transaction. Not only so, but he had incurred expenses
by his employment of a solicitor to carry out his design which it
would be extremely difficult for him to meet, if the bank had
actually failed.

He alone of all the squires in the Punch-Bowl had put his savings
into a bank, and he had done this because he was so frequently
and so long from home that he did not dare to leave them anywhere
in his house, lest it should be broken into during his absence.

As the Broom-Squire approached Thursley village his horse cast a
shoe, and he was obliged to stop at the farrier's to have old
Clutch shod.

"How do'y do, Squire?" said the blacksmith. "Been christenin' your
baby, I hear."

Bideabout grunted in reply.

"One comes and anot