well as
Mr. Topcliffe's and my lord Shrewsbury's; and I think I should not have
had time to look that through. But, by God's mercy, it was one of the
three or four by themselves."

He had the paper in his hand by now. The lawyer made a movement to take
it. Then he restrained himself.

"Tell me, first," he said.

"Well, sir," said George, with a pardonable satisfaction in spinning the
matter out, "one was all covered with notes, and was headed 'Padley.' I
read that through, sir. It had to do with the buildings and the acres,
and so forth. The second paper I could make nothing out of; it was in
cypher, I think. The third paper was the same; and the fourth, sir, was
that which I have here."

The lawyer started.

"But I told you--"

"Yes, sir; I should have said that this is the copy--or, at least, an
abstract. I made the abstract by the window, sir, crouching down so that
none should see me. Then I put all back as before, and came out again;
the fellow was fast asleep against the door."

"And Topcliffe--"

"Mr. Topcliffe, sir, returned half an hour afterwards in company again
with Mr. Hamilton. I waited a few minutes to see that all was well, and
then I came to you, sir."

There was silence in the little room for a moment. It was the small back
office of Mr. Biddell, where he did his more intimate business, looking
out on to a paved court. The town was for the most part asleep, and
hardly a sound came through the closed windows.

Then the lawyer turned and put out his hand for the paper without a
word. He nodded to George, who went out, bidding him good-night.

* * * * *

Ten minutes later Mr. Biddell walked quietly through the passengers'
gate by the side of the great doors that led to the court beside
Babington House, closing it behind him. He knew that it would be left
unbarred till eleven o'clock that night. He passed on through the court,
past the house door, to the steward's office, where through heavy
curtains a light glimmered. As he put his hand on the door it opened,
and Marjorie was there. He said nothing, nor did she. Her face was pale
and steady, and there was a question in her eyes. For answer he put the
paper into her hands, and sat down while she read it. The stillness was
as deep here as in the office he had just left.

IV

It was a minute or two before either spoke. The girl read the paper
twice through, holding it close to the little hand-lamp that stoo