asmuch as the
knight traveled westward simply to discuss with Master Philip Borsdale
the recent doings of Cardinal Alioneri. Now, Philip Borsdale, as Sir
Thomas knew, had been employed by Herrick in various transactions here
irrelevant. In consequence, Sir Thomas Browne was not greatly
surprised when, on his arrival at Buckfastleigh, Borsdale's
body-servant told him that Master Borsdale had left instructions for
Sir Thomas to follow him to Dean Prior. Browne complied, because his
business with Borsdale was of importance.

Philip Borsdale was lounging in Dr. Herrick's chair, intent upon a
lengthy manuscript, alone and to all appearances quite at home. The
state of the room Sir Thomas found extraordinary; but he had graver
matters to discuss; and he explained the results of his mission without
extraneous comment.

"Yes, you have managed it to admiration," said Philip Borsdale, when
the knight had made an end. Borsdale leaned back and laughed,
purringly, for the outcome of this affair of the Cardinal and the Wax
Image meant much to him from a pecuniary standpoint. "Yet it is odd a
prince of any church which has done so much toward the discomfiture of
sorcery should have entertained such ideas. It is also odd to note the
series of coincidences which appears to have attended this Alioneri's
practises."

"I noticed that," said Sir Thomas. After a while he said: "You think,
then, that they must have been coincidences?"

"MUST is a word which intelligent people do not outwear by too constant
usage."

And "Oh----?" said the knight, and said that alone, because he was
familiar with the sparkle now in Borsdale's eyes, and knew it heralded
an adventure for an amateur of the curious.

"I am not committing myself, mark you, Sir Thomas, to any statement
whatever, beyond the observation that these coincidences were
noticeable. I add, with superficial irrelevance, that Dr. Herrick
disappeared last night."

"I am not surprised," said Sir Thomas, drily. "No possible antics
would astonish me on the part of that unvenerable madman. When I was
last in Totnes, he broke down in the midst of a sermon, and flung the
manuscript of it at his congregation, and cursed them roundly for not
paying closer attention. Such was never my ideal of absolute decorum
in the pulpit. Moreover, it is unusual for a minister of the Church of
England to be accompanied everywhere by a pig with whom he discusses
the affairs of the parish precis