pmate,'--why, then, you will take your
treasure upon your back and march straight into the room--you
understand?"

"Aye, aye, Captain."

"Why, then--come on, and--mum's the word."

Very cautiously they approached the long French windows, and paused in
the shadow of a great rose-bush, near-by. From where he stood Bellew
could see Anthea and Miss Priscilla, and between them, sprawling in an
easy chair, was Grimes, while Adam, hat in hand, scowled in the
background.

"All I can say is--as I'm very sorry for ye, Miss Anthea," Grimes was
saying. "Ah! that I am, but glad as you've took it so well,--no crying
nor nonsense!" Here he turned to look at Miss Priscilla, whose
everlasting sewing had fallen to her feet, and lay there all unnoticed,
while her tearful eyes were fixed upon Anthea, standing white-faced
beside her.

"And when--when shall ye be ready to--leave, to--vacate Dapplemere,
Miss Anthea?" Grimes went on. "Not as I mean to 'urry you, mind,--only I
should like you to--name a day."

Now, as Bellew watched, he saw Anthea's lips move, but no sound came.
Miss Priscilla saw also, and catching the nerveless hand, drew it to her
bosom, and wept over it.

"Come! come!" expostulated Grimes, jingling the money in his pockets.
"Come, come, Miss Anthea, mam!--all as I'm axing you is--when? All as I
want you to do is--"

But here Adam, who had been screwing and wringing at his hat, now
stepped forward and, tapping Grimes upon the shoulder, pointed to
the door:

"Mister Grimes," said he, "Miss Anthea's told ye all as you come here to
find out,--she's told ye as she--can't pay, so now,--s'pose you--go."

"But all I want to know is when she'll be ready to move, and I ain't a
going till I do,--so you get out o' my way!"

"S'pose you go!" repeated Adam.

"Get out o' my way,--d'ye hear?"

"Because," Adam went on, "if ye don't go, Mister Grimes, the 'Old Adam'
be arising inside o' me to that degree as I shall be forced to ketch you
by the collar o' your jacket, and--heave you out, Mr. Grimes, sir,--so
s'pose you go."

Hereupon Mr. Grimes rose, put on his hat, and muttering to himself,
stamped indignantly from the room, and Adam, shutting the door upon him,
turned to Miss Anthea, who stood white-lipped and dry-eyed, while gentle
little Miss Priscilla fondled her listless hand.

"Don't,--don't look that way, Miss Anthea," said Adam. "I'd rayther see
you cry, than look so. It be 'ard to 'ave to let the old place
go,