for aught I know! And that's the last
word I'm a-going to speak till we get inside o' your office, and lock the
door after us."

In great anxiety--for his suspicions immediately flew to Leonidas and
Anglesea--Mr. Force led the way into his sanctum, secured it against
intrusion, and seated his guests, and awaited the further communication of
the last comer. What would it be? Had Leonidas made a fatal assault upon
Anglesea? Had Miss Bayard learned the fact through Le's bosom friend,
Roland Bayard?

Miss Sibby seemed in no hurry to communicate her business.

"Is that door locked?" she inquired.

"Fast," replied Mr. Force.

"Could anybody hear us if they was to listen at the keyhole?"

"No one about the house would be guilty of such an impropriety."

"I don't know that."

Mr. Force got up, took an overcoat from a hook on the wall and hung it
against the door.

"Now, then!" he said, resuming his seat.

"Now, then!" said Miss Sibby, fumbling in her pocket, producing a neatly
folded, white paper, and handing it to the squire. "Now, then, what do you
think of that for a bloody-minded young wilyun? Oh, I tell yer, boys is
the devil!"

Mr. Force unfolded and read the paper, staring at it in dismay.

"How came you by this?" he inquired.

"Interslipted of it!" she replied.

"Then this never reached its destination?"

"Eh?"

"This never was delivered?"

"Not much! There'd 'a' been murder done before this if it had been! And
there'll be murder done yet if there ain't a stop put to it! Let me tell
you all how and about it."

And, while the squire and the rector listened, with the most painful
interest, Miss Sibby told of Leonidas Force's sudden visit of the previous
afternoon, of her suspicions, and of her seizing an opportunity afforded
and opening the envelope, taking out the sheet of note paper, tearing off
the half containing the challenge, folding and replacing the other leaf,
and finally closing up the envelope, and returning it to its place.

"My wagabone of a 'dopted nevvy took the note without suspicion, and went
off with it. I'd like to 'a' seen that colonel's face when he opened it
and found nothing but a blank paper! Howsever, I haven't seen hair nor
hide of my scamp since, so I don't know how it all ended! And I don't know
where he is! But naught's never in danger, and I reckon as he is safe and
sound with t'other scamp at Greenbushes."

"What do you think of this, now, for a mad missive? Oh, rea