"Let us all walk," said the curate, abruptly. But this was obviously not Mr. Harding's intention. "I want you to go through the minutes and the accounts before the meeting," he said, in a quieter but decisive voice. "We will meet at the School at four. You will have plenty of time if you take the train. And meanwhile Mr. Malling and I will go on foot together as far as Cadogan Square." Chichester stood for a moment staring into Mr. Harding's face, then he said, almost sulkily: "Very well. Good-by." He turned on his heel, and was lost in the throng near the station. It seemed to Malling that an expression of relief overspread his companion's face. "You don't mind my company for a little longer, I hope?" said the rector. "I shall be glad to have it." They set out on their walk to Cadogan Square. After two or three minutes of silence the rector remarked: "You know Chichester well?" "I can hardly say that. I used to meet him sometimes with some friends of mine, the Crespignys. But I haven't seen him for more than two years." "He's a very good fellow." "An excellent fellow." "Perhaps a little bit limited in his outlook. He has been with me at St. Joseph's exactly two years." The rector seemed about to say more, then shut his large mouth almost with a snap. Malling made no remark. He was quite certain that snap was merely the preliminary to some further remark about Chichester. And so it proved. As they came to St. Peter's Eaton Square, the rector resumed: "I often think that it is a man's limitations which make him critical of others. The more one knows, the wider one's outlook, the readier one is to shut one's eyes to the foibles, even to the faults, of one's neighbors. I have tried to impress that upon our friend Chichester." "Doesn't he agree with you?" "Well--it's difficult to say, difficult to say. Shall we go by Wilton Place, or--?" "Certainly." "Professor Stepton has talked to me about you from time to time, Mr. Malling." "He's a remarkable man," said Malling almost with enthusiasm. "Yes. He's finding his way to the truth rather by the pathway of science than by the pathway of faith. But he's a man I respect. And I believe he'll get out into the light. You've done a great deal of work for him, I understand, in--in occult directions." "I have made a good many careful investigations at his suggestion." "Exactly. Now"--Mr. Harding paused, seemed to make an effort, and continued--"we know very little even now, with all that has been done, as to--to the possibilities--I scarcely know how to put it--the possibilities of the soul." "Very little indeed," rejoined Malling. He was considerably surprised by his companion's manner, but was quite resolved not to help him out.