ge.

"Good evening," said Mr. Curtis smoothly.

"Good evening," returned Antony equally smoothly, and going on with his
work.

"I hear you're thinking of taking in lodgers," said Mr. Curtis blandly.

"Sure now, that's interesting hearing," returned Antony pleasantly, and
wondering who on earth had babbled.

"Perhaps," said Mr. Curtis, still blandly, "I was misinformed. I heard
the Grantleys were moving up here. I daresay it was merely an idle
rumour."

"Sure it may have been," returned Antony nonchalantly, and sticking his
spade into the ground.

"It must have been," said Mr. Curtis thoughtfully. "All lodging houses
are rented at ten shillings a week, even unfurnished small ones, not five
shillings. Besides Grantley is only getting a pound a week wage. He can't
afford to live in apartments, unless he's come in for a fortune. If he
has I must look out for another man. Men with fortunes get a trifle above
themselves, you know. Besides he'd naturally not wish to stay on. But of
course the whole thing's merely a rumour. I'd contradict it if I were
you. Good evening."

He walked up the lane smiling.

"You bounder," said Antony softly, looking after him. "Just you wait till
next March, my friend."

He left his spade stuck into the earth, and went back into the cottage.
Half an hour later, he was walking quickly in the direction of Byestry.

* * * * *

Doctor Hilary was in his surgery, when he was told that Michael Field had
asked if he could see him. He went at once to the little waiting-room.
Antony rose at his entrance.

"Good evening, sor," he said, touching his forehead. "Can you be sparing
me five minutes' talk?"

"By all means," said Doctor Hilary. "Sit down."

Antony sat down. In a few brief words he put the Grantley affair before
him.

"Well?" said Doctor Hilary, as he finished.

"Well," queried Antony, "can nothing be done?"

Doctor Hilary shook his head. "I am not the agent. I have no voice in the
management of the estate."

"Then you can do nothing?"

"I am afraid not."

"Thank you," said Antony, "that's all I wanted to know." He got up.

"Sit down again," said Doctor Hilary.

Antony sat down.

"What do you mean to do?" asked Doctor Hilary quietly.

Antony looked directly at him.

"The only thing I can do. I'll get that extra rent to Job somehow. He
mustn't know it comes from me; I must think out how to manage. But, of
course, that's mere