ise 'e never to tell of his free will, an' the door
against danger 's shut," she said. "When Will knaws Grimbal 's gwaine to
be dumb, he'll rage a while, then calm down an' be hisself again. 'T is
the doubt that drove him frantic."

"I'll see the man, then; but not a word to Will's ear. All the fat would
be in the fire if he so much as dreamed I was about any such business.
As to a promise, if I can get it I will. An' 'twixt me an' you, Phoebe,
I'm hopeful of it. He 's kept quiet so long that theer caan't be any
fiery hunger 'gainst Will in un just now. I'll soothe un down an' get
his word of honour if it 's to be got. Then your husband can do as he
pleases."

"Leave the rest to me, Faither."

A fortnight later the cautious miller, after great and exhaustive
reflection, set out to carry into practice his intention. An appointment
was made on the day that Will drove to Moreton to meet his sister and
Martin Grimbal. This removed him out of the way, while Billy had been
despatched to Okehampton for some harness, and Mr. Lyddon's daughter,
alone in the secret, was spending the afternoon with her mother-in-law.

So Miller walked over to the Red House and soon found himself waiting
for John Grimbal in a cheerless but handsome dining-room. The apartment
suggested little occupation. A desk stood in the window, and upon it
were half a dozen documents under a paper-weight made from a horse's
hoof. A fire burned in the broad grate; a row of chairs, upholstered in
dark red leather, stood stiffly round; a dozen indifferent oil-paintings
of dogs and horses filled large gold frames upon the walls; and upon a
massive sideboard of black oak a few silver cups, won by Grimbal's dogs
at various shows and coursing meetings, were displayed.

Mr. Lyddon found himself kept waiting about ten minutes; then John
entered, bade him a cold "good afternoon" without shaking hands, and
placed an easy-chair for him beside the fire.

"Would you object to me lighting my pipe, Jan Grimbal?" asked the miller
humbly; and by way of answer the other took a box of matches from his
pocket and handed it to the visitor.

"Thank you, thank you; I'm obliged to you. Let me get a light, then I'll
talk to 'e."

He puffed for a minute or two, while Grimbal waited in silence for his
guest to begin.

"Now, wi'out any beatin' of the bush or waste of time, I'll speak. I be
come 'bout Blanchard, as I dare say you guessed. The news of what he
done nine or ten years