the vestry, and we can have a nice talk on the way. It
would be unwise for me to appear at the barracks just now.'

'That's true.'

De Stancy sighed, and they were about to walk across the fields
together. 'No,' said Dare, suddenly stopping: my plans make it
imperative that we should not run the risk of being seen in each other's
company for long. Walk on, and I will follow. You can stroll into the
churchyard, and move about as if you were ruminating on the epitaphs.
There are some with excellent morals. I'll enter by the other gate, and
we can meet easily in the vestry-room.'

De Stancy looked gloomy, and was on the point of acquiescing when he
turned back and said, 'Why should your photograph be shown to the chief
constable?'

'By whom?'

'Somerset the architect. He suspects your having broken into his office
or something of the sort.' De Stancy briefly related what Somerset had
explained to him at the dinner-table.

'It was merely diamond cut diamond between us, on an architectural
matter,' murmured Dare. 'Ho! and he suspects; and that's his remedy!'

'I hope this is nothing serious?' asked De Stancy gravely.

'I peeped at his drawing--that's all. But since he chooses to make that
use of my photograph, which I gave him in friendship, I'll make use of
his in a way he little dreams of. Well now, let's on.'

A quarter of an hour later they met in the vestry of the church at
Sleeping-Green.

'I have only just transferred my account to the bank here,' said De
Stancy, as he took out his cheque-book, 'and it will be more convenient
to me at present to draw but a small sum. I will make up the balance
afterwards.'

When he had written it Dare glanced over the paper and said ruefully,
'It is small, dad. Well, there is all the more reason why I should
broach my scheme, with a view to making such documents larger in the
future.'

'I shall be glad to hear of any such scheme,' answered De Stancy, with a
languid attempt at jocularity.

'Then here it is. The plan I have arranged for you is of the nature of a
marriage.'

'You are very kind!' said De Stancy, agape.

'The lady's name is Miss Paula Power, who, as you may have heard since
your arrival, is in absolute possession of her father's property and
estates, including Stancy Castle. As soon as I heard of her I saw what
a marvellous match it would be for you, and your family; it would make
a man of you, in short, and I have set my mind upon your putting no
obje