of the minster is beginning to crumble at places,"
said Mr Halgrove, looking up at the noble pile before them; "I hope
it's not true. Are you much here?"

"No. I live in another part of the town."

"Very odd my meeting you," said Mr Halgrove. "I was thinking of you
only to-day. I had a letter from Mr Frampton."

"Indeed, sir--about Forrester?"

"About--oh, your little victim? Oddly enough, it was not. It was to
remind me that your last half-term's fees were not paid. Don't you
think it would be judicious to clear up this little score? Looks bad,
you know--to run away with score against you."

Jeffrey's face turned pale. He had at least supposed that up to the
time of his expulsion from his guardian's house Mr Halgrove would have
considered himself responsible for his maintenance.

"I never dreamt," he faltered. "How much is it?"

"Quite a little sum, isn't it? Come, you were last at school. Too bad
to pose me with compound division at my time of life. Half a term at
L40 a year?"

"Seven pounds!" gasped Jeffreys.

"Not quite, L6 13 shillings, 4 pence. Fancy my being better at mental
arithmetic than you!"

"I haven't got any money. I only get a pound a month and my board."

"My dear boy, I congratulate you. Twelve pounds a year! Now, wasn't it
a pity you didn't take that L5 note I offered you? Suppose you take it
now!"

Mr Halgrove put his hand to his pocket and took out his purse.

"No!" exclaimed Jeffreys, in a tone that made Trimble, who was busy
engaged in inspecting the architecture of the minster from behind a deep
buttress close to the speaker, jump--"I'd sooner die!"

"Don't do that, my dear fellow, don't do that," said Mr Halgrove, with
a smile which belied the anger he felt at the refusal; "rather than that
I'll keep the money. I have no wish to commit a murder. It's not in my
line. That's one point in which you and I differ, isn't it?"

Jeffreys made as though he would spring upon him. What was it checked
him? Was it the solemn minster--was it a dread of his guardian's
superior strength--was it fear of punishment? Or was it a momentary
glimpse of a pale face in a moonlit room far away, which took the spirit
out of him and made his arm drop at his side?

"Well, I won't keep you," said Mr Halgrove, who had also for a moment
looked uneasy. "I dare say you are in a hurry like myself. The fact
is, I am going a trip to America next week and have a good deal to
attend to.