eological
matters. Addressing him in an almost reverential manner, he proceeded to
enumerate the witness's distinctions.

"Dr. Pellery, you are, I believe, a Fellow of the Society of
Antiquaries?"

"I have that honour."

"And a member of more than one archaeological society?"

"I am."

"And a corresponding member of various foreign societies of a similar
sort?"

"For many years."

"You are also, I think, a Doctor of Civil Law of the University of
Oxford?"

"Yes."

"And the author of many books and articles on your pet
subject--archaeology?"

"That is so."

"Am I right, Dr. Pellery, in believing that you are thoroughly well
acquainted with the archaeology, antiquities, and ancient architecture of
this town?"

"Quite right. I lived here for several years--ten or eleven years."

"That was--when?"

"It is about twenty years since I left this place."

"You made a close study of it while you were resident here?"

"A very close study. Hathelsborough, from my point of view, is one of
the most deeply interesting towns in England. While I lived here I
accumulated a vast mass of material respecting its history and
antiquities, with the idea of writing a monograph on the borough. But I
have never made use of it."

"Let us hope that you will still do so, Dr. Pellery," said Meeking, with
a suave smile and polite bow.

But Dr. Pellery shook his head and stroked his long beard. A cynical
smile played round his wrinkled eyes.

"No, I don't think I ever shall," he said. "Indeed, I'm sure I shan't!"

"May I ask why?"

"You may! Because there aren't twenty people in Hathelsborough who would
buy such a book. Hathelsborough people don't care twopence about the
history of their old town--all they care about is money. This case is a
proof!"

"I think we'll get back to the case," said Meeking, amidst a ripple of
laughter. "Well, we may consider you as the greatest living expert on
Hathelsborough anyway, Dr. Pellery, and eminently fitted to give us some
very important evidence. Do you know the ancient church of St. Lawrence
at the back of this Moot Hall?"

"Ay, as well as I know my own face in the glass!" answered Dr. Pellery
with a short laugh. "Every stone of it!"

"It is, I believe, a very old church?"

"It is the oldest church, not only in Hathelsborough, which is saying a
good deal, but in all this part of the county," replied the witness with
emphasis. "St. Hathelswide, the parish church, is old, but St