"He has just come into some money most unexpectedly," Nellie read. "He arrived at the conclusion long ago that the climate of England is quite unsuitable for the cultivation of tomatoes; and as he is anxious to exploit the capabilities of his new variety, he is going to settle, after his marriage, in Tasmania, which he believes is an island with a future. He is coming to Highfield to bid his dear good aunt a long farewell. Whatever gave you the idea he was going to be a missionary?" "Doesn't he say so?" asked Miss Yard. "No, he is going to Tasmania to grow tomatoes." "I suppose I used to know something about Tasmania; but then I used to be very good at acrostics, and I can't do them now." "It's an island near Australia. But not every one who goes to an island in the Pacific intends to be a missionary," said Nellie, adding to herself, "This will be delightful news for George." That gentleman was depressed, for he had just received an anonymous communication threatening him with a fearful end upon the day that the first boulder of the new railway was blasted. Also Crampy had sent him a perplexing note, mentioning that some experts believed the vases were genuine, while others declared them to be forgeries; but, in any case, he had succeeded already in disposing of them. When George had read Percy's letter, which Miss Yard passed across the breakfast table, with the remark that she herself would like to live "in the Pacific," if he could find her an island where the police insisted upon the wearing of apparel during divine service, he became highly suspicious, and suggested to Nellie in an undertone that Percy had selected the Antipodes with a view to removing himself as far as possible from the Central Criminal Court. "He's going to grow Tasmanias in Tomato," announced Miss Yard. "He means to grow giant tomanias--I mean tomatoes, in--oh, bother!" laughed Nellie. "Miss Sophy has muddled me. Why shouldn't Mr. Taverner grow tomatoes in Tasmania?" "What about this money? Would anybody leave money to Percy unless they had to?" cried George. "It may have been left to his young lady," suggested Nellie. "He has robbed someone," said George bitterly, "and now he's running off the earth to hide the swag." "If I wanted to say something nasty about Mr. Taverner," said Nellie, "I might suggest he had become engaged to Miss Lee because this money had been left to her." "I should be certain of it, if he wasn't clearing out of the country," replied George. "Isn't this honey?" complained Miss Yard. "What makes it taste so bitter?" "Heavens, don't swallow them! Have they stung you?" cried Nellie, perceiving suddenly that the good lady was spreading her buttered toast with a mixture of crushed wasps and honey. "They are not at all nice. Did the doctor order me to have them?" "They are wasps, Aunt," said George bluntly. "Are they the things that turn into butterflies?" gasped Miss Yard, rising from her chair and showing signs of distress.