The Bishop's Secret

nt with a thick atmosphere of fog, through which the gas-lights flared in a nebulous fashion, and rendered the air so hot that it was difficult to breathe in spite of the windows being open. At the

drink, and his voice ran up and down from bass to tr

to the Pole, steamed south to the Horn, described the paradise of the South Seas, and discoursed about the wild wastes of snowy Siberia. The capitals of Europe appeared to be as familiar to him as the chair he was seated in; and the steppes of Russia, the deserts of Africa, the sheep runs of Australia were all mentioned in turn, as adventure after adventure fell from his lips. And mixed up with these geographical accounts were thrilling ta

vanished, like Macbeth's witches, into thin air. Look at me, you country cabbages! I've reigned a king amongst savages. A poor sort of king, say you; but a king's a king, say I; and king I have b

mister?' inquired

th a bang. 'At least I know where to get it. Bah! you fools, one can get blood out of a stone if one knows how t

eath's Tom Ti

ver are ther

he priest, picked

a coward, the

make it stiff, sonny!

mory that Dr Pendle intended to ride over to Southberry in the morning, across the heath. Without doubt he had agreed to meet there this man who boasted that he could get blood out of a stone, and the object of the meeting was to bribe him to silence. But however loosely Jentham alluded to his intention of picking up gold, he was cunning enough, with all his excitement, to hold his tongue as to how he could work such a miracle

ner seemed too moody to tell them any more, they began to talk amongst themselves, principally about horses and dogs. It was now growing late, and the most respectable of the crowd were moving homeward. Cargrim felt that to keep up the dignity of his cloth he should depart also; for several looks of surprise were cast in his direction. But Jentham and his wild speeche

he busybody of Beorminster. And

riend,' said Cargrim, in silky tones, for he did n

friend

peak to me like

ied Jentham, rising with a savage look in his eyes. 'If

er, 'but she is asleep, so I could not see her. In passing the door of this

p, I suppose?' growled Jentham, unpleasantly. 'I have a great

my clot

you. What would his lordship of Beor

dship do

aps he sent you?' he s

was thus bemused with drink. 'I have told you the reason of my presence here. And as I am her

covering his speech, he poured forth such a volley of vile words at Cargrim that the chaplain

ply, 'and if you keep such a creature on

neck if you use such language to me. I've killed fifty better men than you in my

' said the landlord, with a glance at C

aved Jentham, stamping. 'Do

he colour of you

pounds next week-hundreds;' and he broke out fiercel

id Mosk, retiri

s he could muster. As he went, the burden of Jentham's last speech-'hundreds of pounds! hundreds of pounds!'-rang in his ears; and more than ever he desired to examine th

dly. Cargrim strolled slowly down the street towards the Eastgate, musing over his late experience, and enjoying the coolness of the night air after the sultry atmosphere of the coffee-room. The sky was now brilliant with stars, and a silver moon rolled aloft in the blue arch, shedding down floods of lig

ugh the wide streets of the modern town, he was suddenly brought to a standstill by hearing the voice of Jentham some distance away. Evidently the man had quarrelled with the landlord, a

eked the eight

ed the s

y pile a hu

d the lot

ship comes h

e me, don

s worth, the b

where I

Callao! for o

no co

xtra

d in C

with the drunken bully, slipped into the shadow of a house until he passed. As usual, there was no policeman visible, and Jentham went bellowing and storming through the quiet summer night like the dissolute ruffian he was. He was making for the country in the direction of the palace, and wondering if he intended to force his way into the house to threaten Dr Pend

lear of the town. Then the gipsy turned down a shadowy lane, cut through a footpath, and when he emerged again into the broa

and give me money, or I'll shame you before the whole town,

together for further denunciation of the bishop, when round the corner tripped two women, towar

tretching out his arms, 'here's your h

the last one, a young man came racing along the footpath and swung into the middle of the road. The next

said the young

Arden, and burst into

m, rising slowly. 'I'll be even

if you don't clear out,' retorted G

Tears, and was coming home with Ellen, w

ried Captain Pen

judged it judicious to emerge from his retreat. He came for

heard a scream. What, Captain Pendle!

d Jentham. 'The son of

the creature, but was restrained by Mab, who

the chaplain, whom he suspected had seen more of the af

to the police. Come, Mab, yonder is Ellen waiting fo

le, will you?' he muttered, loud enough for Cargrim to overhear. 'Take care I don't do the same thing to yo

ates, 'it has to do with the police, then, my lord bisho