eak with him on business.'

'He is upstairs. I daresay he'll be down soon.'

'Oh, don't disturb him for my sake, I beg. But if you will permit me I
shall go up and see Mrs Mosk.'

'Here comes Mr Pendle now,' said Bell, abruptly, and withdrew into the
interior of the bar as Gabriel appeared at the end of the passage. He
started and seemed uneasy when he recognised the chaplain.

'Cargrim!' he cried, hurrying forward. 'Why are you here?' and he gave a
nervous glance in the direction of the bar; a glance which the chaplain
saw and understood, but discreetly left unnoticed.

'I wish to see you,' he replied, with great simplicity; 'they told me at
your lodgings that you might be here, so--'

'Why!' interrupted Gabriel, sharply, 'I left no message to that effect.'

Cargrim saw that he had made a mistake. 'I speak generally, my dear
friend--generally,' he said in some haste. 'Your worthy landlady
mentioned several houses in which you were in the habit of seeing sick
people--amongst others this hotel.'

'Mrs Mosk is very ill. I have been seeing her,' said Gabriel, shortly.

'Ay! ay! you have been seeing Mrs Mosk!'

Gabriel changed colour and cast another glance towards the bar, for the
significance of Cargrim's speech was not lost on him. 'Do you wish to
speak with me?' he asked coldly.

'I should esteem it a favour if you would allow me a few words,' said
Cargrim, politely. 'I'll wait for you--outside,' and in his turn the
chaplain looked towards the bar.

'Thank you, I can come with you now,' was Gabriel's reply, made with a
burning desire to knock Cargrim down. 'Miss Mosk, I am glad to find that
your mother is easier in her mind.'

'It's all due to you, Mr Pendle,' said Bell, moving forward with a toss
of her head directed especially at Mr Cargrim. 'Your visits do mother a
great deal of good.'

'I am sure they do,' said the chaplain, not able to forego giving the
girl a scratch of his claws. 'Mr Pendle's visits here must be delightful
to everybody.'

'I daresay,' retorted Bell, with heightened colour, 'other people's
visits would not be so welcome.'

'Perhaps not, Miss Mosk. Mr Pendle has many amiable qualities to
recommend him. He is a general and deserved favourite.'

'Come, come, Cargrim,' interposed Gabriel, anxiously, for the fair
Bell's temper was rapidly getting the better of her; 'if you are ready
we shall go. Good evening, Miss Mosk.'

'Good evening, Mr Pendle,' said the barmaid, and directed a