The Bishop's Secret

and everything. Consequently he cocked his hat defiantly at the curate; and although he blocked up the doorway, made no motion to stand aside. Cargrim was not ill pleased a

ithin, my friend?' asked the c

grew paler, his scar waxed redder, and with all his Dutch

refinement of speech. 'I shouldn't think it likely tha

of Mr Gabriel Pendle, t

say that I know nothing of the son of his lor

nowing his lordship himself,' said

ok as though I were acquainted with bishops?' said he, scoffingly. 'Is

I am not mistaken you called

you s

th the Jesuitic saying that the end justifies the means. 'And I w

observed the stranger, gloomily, 'but

am the chaplain

ou, there will be trouble. I saw Dr Pendle on private business, and as such it has nothing to do with you. Hold your tongue, you black crow, and keep away from me,' cried the stranger, with sudden ferocit

f my finding out his business with Pendle. Birds of a feather,' sighed Mr Cargrim, entering the hotel. 'I fear, I sadly fear that his lordship is but a whited sepulchre

a sharp but pleasant female v

black hair twisted into many amazing shapes on the top of her head. In manner she was as brisk as a bee and as restless as a butterfly; and being adorned with a vast quantity of bracelets, and lockets, and brooches, all of gaudy patterns, jingled at every movement. This young lady was Miss Bell Mosk, whom the frequenters of The De

marvelling that this gaudy female should be the

comprehensive view of the sleek, black-

aplain, Miss Mosk, and I wish to

ast eyes wiped the counter briskly with a duster. 'Why should y

Mosk, and I was informed that he

an amazing lie the chaplain was telling. '

he hesitancy at the end of her sentence; 'b

. I daresay he'

e, I beg. But if you will permit

the interior of the bar as Gabriel appeared at the end of the pas

gave a nervous glance in the direction of the bar; a glance whic

great simplicity; 'they told me at you

el, sharply, 'I left no

rally,' he said in some haste. 'Your worthy landlady mentioned several houses i

I have been seeing her,

have been see

bar, for the significance of Cargrim's speech was not los

words,' said Cargrim, politely. 'I'll wait for you-outs

made with a burning desire to knock Cargrim down. 'Miss Mos

rward with a toss of her head directed especially at M

forego giving the girl a scratch of his claws. 'Mr P

heightened colour, 'other people'

any amiable qualities to recommend him.

the fair Bell's temper was rapidly getting the better of h

te understood-with an amused smile and a bland inclination of the head. As he walked out arm-in-arm with the reluctant Pendle, Bell banged the pewters and glasses about with considerable energy, for the significant demeanour of Cargr

e found himself in the street with hi

out the

ere anything the

ld me that he was

mpatiently. 'He told me the sam

train. Do you know the obj

t is his

lt a specialist a

abriel, anxious

nervous trouble br

ything on his mind likely t

'He has not been himself since the visit of that stranger

bishop te

am observan

inking of Bell at this moment. However, he made no comment on the chaplain's speech, but merely remarked that doubtless the bishop had his own reasons for keeping silent, and advised Cargrim to wait until h

h to save him from annoyance. By the way,' with an abrupt change of subject, 'do you kno

n? W

is evening. He loo

aking a mountain out of a mole hill. A stranger sees my father, and afte

im, sweetly, 'this man cau

s in this interfering mood, liked him less than ever. It would be as well, thought Gabriel, that Mr Cargrim should be dismissed from his confidential office as soon as possible. Otherwise he might cause trouble, and Gabriel mentally thought of the high-coloured young lady in the bar. His conscience was not at ease regarding his admiration for her; and he dreaded les

er. He had seen Bell, he had spoken to Gabriel, he had even secured an unsatisfactory conversation with the unknown man. Now he wished to question Mrs Mosk and acquaint himself wi

young lady, who had been

ss Mosk; I wish to

Bell's bl

e for Mrs Mosk

r. In the first place, she's too ill to receive anyone

! not even

ing, and again fell to wiping the counter in a fu

terated Cargrim, who was bent upon carryin

Southberry. Why do you

lf-with your permission,

Bell, and flung down her

you, Miss Mosk, for your politeness. By the way,' he added, as he half returned, 'w

here,' said Bell, scornfully. 'I'll tell Mr

ed homeward. 'Now, I wonder if I'll fin