eved it; and two days after the
funeral he came down here, and had another most violent quarrel with
his brother. It almost came to blows; and Mr. Tom decamped altogether
within a week from that time. I only tell you the story. Some people
here think badly of him, and his disappearance looks suspicious. Of
course he gave out that he was going to Australia to find out the
rights of it; but Major Lester does not believe this.'

'I wonder Major Lester does not go out himself,' said Agatha, feeling
strangely interested in this story.

'He is too crippled by gout to do so. He has put the matter into the
hands of the police out there. It's a sad story. The major is most
regular at church, and highly respected in the neighbourhood. Mr. Tom
is most erratic; I believe he has been seen in the Methodist chapel
occasionally, but won't put his foot inside our church; and he is no
loss at all to the neighbourhood, for he lived the life of a recluse.
I always look upon this house as an ill-omened place. I didn't tell
you that the last vicar who lived here died of delirium tremens. He
was a disgrace to his profession, but that was thirty years ago. The
new vicarage was built shortly after.' Miss Miller paused for breath,
and her brother remarked, 'You must not prejudice the Miss Danes,
Deborah, against their house. It is a quaint place, and its past need
not be recorded.'

'We are charmed with it,' said Agatha simply; 'and we have moved into
it at the right time. Spring in the country is always so delightful.'

Miss Miller was more agreeable when visiting than Agatha had hoped for,
and though she insisted on the monopoly of the conversation, and gave
the good vicar little chance of putting in a word, yet Agatha felt that
they would be pleasant neighbours. There was a good deal of discussion
over the Lesters' history, but Gwen dismissed the subject in her usual
way.

'Major Lester is another Jacob. There's nothing more to be said, and
Mr. Tom is a much-abused and misunderstood man!'

Agatha began to settle into her new life very happily. She became
engrossed in housekeeping for several hours every morning, and was
delighted to hear of a seamstress who could come in and work by the
day. Deb Howitt was sent for, and she proved a skilful and industrious
needlewoman, and amused and interested all who came in contact with her
by her quaint remarks.

'Yes,' she remarked to Gwen, who had strolled into Agatha's bedroom