As Mr. Ingledew asked his question, the curate, for the first time, showed signs of obvious uneasiness. "That is so," he said. Mr. Ingledew smiled. His smile did not seem to add to the curate's comfort. "I do not intend to criticise those verses. Probably Mr. Plumber will admit that by no standard of criticism can they be adjudged first rate. But, in this connection, I would make one remark--and here I think you will agree with me, vicar--that even a clergyman should be decently honest." "Pray," asked the vicar, who possibly had noticed Mr. Plumber's uneasiness, and had, thereupon, become uneasy himself, "what has honesty to do with the matter?" "A good deal, as I am about to show. Mr. Luxmare asked Mr. Plumber if he intended to continue to contribute to _Skittles_. Mr. Plumber declined to answer that question. I could have answered it; and now do. No more of Mr. Plumber's contributions will appear in _Skittles_." The curate started--indeed, everybody started--vicar, churchwardens, sidesmen and all. "What do you mean?" stammered Mr. Plumber. "I base my statement on a letter which I have this morning received from the editor of _Skittles_. In it that great man informs me that he will take care that no more of Mr. Plumber's contributions appear in the paper which he edits." Mr. Plumber went white to the lips. "What do you mean?" he repeated. Mr. Ingledew looked the curate full in the face. As Mr. Plumber met his glance, he cowered as if Mr. Ingledew's words had been so many blows with a stick. "Can you not guess my meaning, Mr. Plumber? Were you not aware that there are such things as literary detectives? In future, I would advise you to remember that there are. Directly I saw those verses I knew that you had stolen them. I happened to have the original in my possession. I sent that original to the editor of _Skittles_. The letter to which I have referred is his response. The verses which you sent to him as yours are no more yours than my watch is. Are you disposed contradict me, Mr. Plumber?" The curate was silent--with a silence which was eloquent.