which occasionally showed themselves. The effect of her death has
been to intensify that reserve to which I have already alluded. He is
sullen and irritable--and the good landlady at the lodgings does not
disguise that she shrinks from taking care of him, even for a few days.
Until I hear from you, he will remain under the charge of my housekeeper
at the rectory.

You have, no doubt, anticipated the request which the poor sufferer
wished to address to you but a few hours before her death. She hoped
that you might be willing to place this friendless and helpless creature
under competent protection. Failing your assistance, I shall have no
alternative, however I may regret it, but to send him to the workhouse
of this town, on his way, probably, to the public asylum.

Believe me, sir, your faithful servant,

CHARLES FENNICK.

P.S.--I fear my letter and its inclosures may be delayed in reaching
you.

Yesterday evening, I had returned to my house, before it occurred to me
that Mrs. Winterfield had not mentioned your address. My only excuse
for this forgetfulness is, that I was very much distressed while I was
writing by her bedside. I at once went back to the lodgings, but she
had fallen asleep, and I dared not disturb her. This morning, when I
returned to the house, she was dead. There is an allusion to Devonshire
in her letter, which suggests that your residence may be in that county;
and I think she once spoke of you as a person of rank and fortune.
Having failed to find your name in a London Directory, I am now about
to search our free library here for a county history of Devon, on the
chance that it may assist me. Let me add, for your own satisfaction,
that no eyes but mine will see these papers. For security's sake, I
shall seal them at once, and write your name on the envelope.

_Added by Father Benwell._

How the boy contrived to possess himself of the sealed packet we shall
probably never discover. Anyhow, we know that he must have escaped
from the rectory, with the papers in his possession, and that he did
certainly get back to his mother and sister in London.

With such complete information as I now have at my disposal, the
prospect is as clear again as we can desire. The separation of Romayne
from his wife, and the alteration of his will in favor of the Church,
seem to be now merely questions of time.

BOOK THE FOURTH.

CHAPTER I.

THE BREACH IS WIDENED.

A FORTNIGHT after Father Benwel