"Of course, if I misread his directions, you can refer to him to correct me--when he returns. As it is, I heard it from him most plainly that--thanks to you--Welland was to be rescued and preserved for Mr. Harry Carthew's child. Mr. Retallack tells me that thirty-four thousand pounds is the sum needed, and that, of this, ten per cent., or three thousand four hundred, will be accepted as deposit money. It happens that I have but a short time to spend in Tregarrick, and therefore I have ventured to summon you and madam to bear witness that I hand this sum over to the person competent to receive it." And with this I took the notes from my breast-pocket and began to count them out carefully upon the table. "This fellow is drunk," said Mr. James Carthew, addressing the lawyer. "The notes are mine, as I can prove. They were entrusted by me to Mr. Addison----" "Who, it appears, has surrendered them," said Mr. Retallack drily. "Did Mr. Addison give you a receipt?" "They are mine, and were entrusted to him for a private purpose. This fellow can have come by them in no honest way. Impound them if you will; I can wait for Addison's testimony. But as for intending to make a present of Welland to that brat of Harry's----" "Not directly to him," I interrupted, having done with my counting, and folding away two notes for fifty pounds apiece in my pocket. "On second thoughts, Mr. Retallack shall make out the conveyance to me, and I will assign a lease retaining the present tenant in possession at a nominal rent of, let me say, five shillings a year. I am sorry to give him so much trouble at this late hour, but it is important that I leave Tregarrick without avoidable delay." "I can well believe that," James Carthew began. But the lawyer who, without a notion of my drift, was now playing up to me very prettily, interrupted him again. "This is very well, sir," said he, addressing me; "very well, indeed. But if, as you say, you are leaving Tregarrick, at what date may we expect the purchase to be completed?" "Why, that I must leave to you and Mr. James Carthew." "To me, sir?" thundered Mr. James, every vein on his bald head swelling. "To _me_! Are you mad, as well as drunk? When I tell you, Mr. Retallack----" I glanced up with a smile and caught his wife's eye. And to my dying day I shall respect that woman. From first to last she had listened without the wink of an eyelash; but now she spoke up firmly. "If I were you, James, I wouldn't be a fool. The best use you can make of your breath is to ask Mr. Retallack to leave the room." The lawyer, at a nod from me, withdrew. "Now," said she, as the door closed, "speak up and tell me what's the matter." "The matter, madam," I answered, "is Addison. He's an escaped convict, and no more a clergyman than--excuse me--you are." I declare that, still, not an eyelash of her quivered: but her ass of a husband broke in-- "I don't believe it! I won't believe it! Tell us how you came by the notes."