p. I
want to know now about yourself, and how you have been making out.
It's a comfort, anyway, to know that you are alive."

"That's about all, I guess," Douglas replied, as he flicked off the end
of his cigar into the ash-tray.

"Have they driven you out?" Garton eagerly questioned.

"It hasn't come to that yet, though attempts have been made to do so.
But I fear they will succeed unless you come to my rescue."

"Why, what can I do?" and Garton looked his surprise. "Surely you are
not going to get me into any trouble up there!"

"Lawyers generally like trouble, don't they? More trouble, more money,
is their motto, so I understand."

"Yes, as a rule. But, you see, this has to do with Church matters, and
I like to keep out of them."

"Too little money in the parsons' pockets, eh? Well, I don't blame
you. But I want your advice. You told me to come to you whenever I
needed help, and here I am. I want it now as never before."

"And you shall have it. Give me your story, and then I shall see what
can be done. I hope to goodness you haven't killed anybody."

"Not exactly killed with my hands, though perhaps I have with my heart,
which is just as bad, according to Scripture."

As briefly and as concisely as possible Douglas related his experiences
at Rixton. He told about his work on the farm, his conflict with the
Stubbles, the sorrow of the shoemaker and his wife over their daughter,
of Mrs. Dempster and Empty, and the professor and his daughters. He
was as cautious as possible when speaking about Nell, and from his
words the lawyer received not the slightest idea of his love for her.

Douglas told his story well, and before he was through Garton was
pacing up and down the study. He was unusually excited and at times he
found it difficult to restrain his feelings.

"Good heavens, man!" he exclaimed when Douglas had finished, "you've
been having a wild west show up there. You might have called upon your
neighbours to see the fun."

"I am calling upon one now to see the finish," was the laconic reply.
"If he doesn't take a hand in the matter at once there'll soon be a
finish to the chief actor. You can't do anything when British justice
is perverted through cowardice and partiality. Simon Stubbles rules
the parish, and will continue to rule it in his own way unless he is
checked."

"And checked he shall be," Garton emphatically replied, bringing his
fist down hard upon the study table. "I am