"You're not a boy," he said. "And you have got plenty of experience of human nature and a Christian outlook. I should fall back on my religion if I was you, Tom, for you can trust that to lead over the doubtfullest ground. You're not a joker-head, as would rush in and make trouble along of hasty opinions; and if you think what's doing be wrong, and if you think a word in season might do good and make the mistaken party hesitate afore he went on with it, then, in my judgment, you'd do well and wisely to speak. But keep the woman in your mind and do naught to hurt her." Mr. Palk expired a deep breath of satisfaction at this counsel. "So be it," he said. "I'll do it; and for the sake of a female it will be done." "Then you won't have it on your conscience, whether or no, Thomas." "'Tis my conscience be doing of it," said Mr. Palk; "it can't be nothing else." Nevertheless he felt a measure of doubt on this point. His motives were beyond his own power of analysis. "I might come and let you know the upshot one day," he said. "You'll be welcome, and all the more so if I can do you a good turn," promised Mr. Chaffe; then Thomas went his way. There now awaited him a very formidable deed; but he was determined not to shrink from it, while still quite unable to explain to himself the inspiration to anything so tremendous. CHAPTER XXVII DISCOVERY Circumstances swept Thomas to action sooner than he had intended and, though slow of wits, he was quickened to grasp an opportunity and essay his difficult and dangerous adventure. He had convinced himself that conscience must be the mainspring of the enterprise and assured his mind that, with such a guide, he might feel in no doubt of the result. Even if he failed and received the reward that not seldom falls to well doing, he would be able to sustain it when he considered his motives.