s," he said. "The transept roof
is undoubtedly the most urgent matter, but there are lots of other
things that cannot be left to themselves for long. I have grave doubts
about the stability of the tower, though my Chief doesn't share them to
anything like the same extent: and perhaps that is just as well, for we
are hampered on every side by lack of funds. They are going to have a
bazaar next week to try to give the thing a lift, but a hundred bazaars
would not produce half that is wanted."

"I gathered that there were difficulties of this kind," the visitor said
reflectively. "As I came out of the church after service to-day I met
the organist. He had no idea who I was, but gave his views very
strongly as to Lord Blandamer's responsibilities for things in general,
and for the organ in particular. We are, I suppose, under some sort of
moral obligation for the north transept, from having annexed it as a
burying-place. It used to be called, I fancy, the Blandamer Aisle."

"Yes, it is called so still," Westray answered. He was glad to see the
turn the conversation had taken, and hoped that a _deus ex machina_ had
appeared. Lord Blandamer's next question was still more encouraging.

"At what do you estimate the cost of the transept repairs?"

Westray ran through his papers till he found a printed leaflet with a
view of Cullerne Minster on the outside.

"Here are Sir George Farquhar's figures," he said. "This was a circular
that was sent everywhere to invite subscriptions, but it scarcely paid
the cost of printing. No one will give a penny to these things
nowadays. Here it is, you see--seven thousand eight hundred pounds for
the north transept."

There was a little pause. Westray did not look up, being awkwardly
conscious that the sum was larger than Lord Blandamer had anticipated,
and fearing that such an abrupt disclosure might have damped the
generosity of an intended contributor.

Lord Blandamer changed the subject.

"Who is the organist? I rather liked his manner, for all he took me so
sharply, if impersonally, to task. He seems a clever musician, but his
instrument is in a shocking state."

"He _is_ a very clever organist," Westray answered. It was evident that
Lord Blandamer was in a subscribing frame of mind, and if his generosity
did not extend to undertaking the cost of the transept, he might at
least give something towards the organ. The architect tried to do his
friend Mr Sharnall a ser