’The fog was a hunting this morning, so we’ve had a fine day for going nowhere, and it’s gone a fishing this evening, to let me understand it will rain to-morrow when I go into Tavistock. It is always so. Bain on market days to spoil my custom and run away with profits.’ In explanation of his words, it is necessary to say that, when the white fog mounts the hills it is said to go hunting, when it lies along the rivers it is said to be fishing, and these conditions of fog are weather indications. ’I don’t know what you call that,’ said Oliver, pointing with his fork to a piece of meat in the pasty. ’It looks to me as if it were a goat caterpillar got in. I suppose you found it crawling across the lane from one of the willow trees, and, because we’re poor and can’t afford meat, stuck it in.’ ’Father, it is wholesome; it is nothing but a bit of pig-crackling. You know we were given a piece of young pork by Mrs. Voaden, the other day.’ Then Oliver sprang to his feet, and Honor started back in surprise. Without a word of salutation, with white face, and glaring eyes, with hand extended and shaking, Taverner Langford came in at the door. ’There! there!’ he said, in a voice raised almost to a scream. ’This is what comes of doing a favour. Now I am punished.’ ’What is the matter, Mr. Langford?’ asked the carrier deferentially. ’What is the matter? Everything is the matter,’ he cried. He turned to Honor: ’It is your doing, yours, yours.’ ’What have I done?’ she asked, with composure. ’You asked me to take him in; the scoundrel, the rogue.’ ’You cannot mean my brother Charles,’ said Honor, with dignity; ’or you would not speak thus under our roof to his father and sisters.’ ’Oh no, of course not, you don’t like to hear it; but that is what he is.’ ’What has Charles done?’ asked Oliver in alarm. ’Robbed me!’ shrieked Taverner, with his whole body quivering, and with vehement action of his hands. ’Robbed me, and run away with my money.’ He gasped for breath, his eyes glared, the sweat ran off his brow. He was without his hat, he had run bareheaded from Langford, and his grizzled hair was disordered. ’He has robbed me of nigh on a thousand pounds, and he has gone away with the money. He took occasion of my being from home; he has taken all—all—all I had laid by. I thought no one knew where was my bank. He must have watched me; he found out; he has taken the box and all its contents.’ ’Charles could not, would not, do such a thing,’ said Honor, with heaving bosom; she was more angry at the charge than alarmed. ’Could not! would not! Where is he now?’ ’I do not know. We have not seen him for several days.’ ’He has not been seen at Langford either. As soon as I was off to Holsworthy he bolted. He knew he would have three days clear, perhaps more, for getting away with the money.’ ’It is impossible,’ said Honor. ’Charles may be idle, but he is not wicked.’