"The poor griffin, or whatever it may have been intended to represent, was lying on its side and looking very forlorn and dirty indeed. The first thing I did was to raise it into an upright position, then, with my pocket-knife, I partially cleared a small space around it of weeds and grass, and then I proceeded to make a sketch of it. That sketch I now send you for the purpose of verification. It seems to me most unlikely that there should have been two mutilated griffins and two broken shields; still, that such may have been the case is by no means impossible. But be that as it may, do not fail to drop me a line by return post and let me know whether you recognize the creature as being anything like the one seen by you that day out of the carriage window while waiting for the opening of the park gates. "As soon as I got back to the dog-cart I began to question the driver, but all I could elicit from him was that the name of the mansion inside the park, of which, however, nothing could be seen from the lodge, is Broome, and that its sole inmate, with the exception of a few domestics, is a certain Miss Pengarvon, a lady well advanced in years, whom the fellow described in terse but caustic terms, as being 'a reg'lar old varmint, and no mistake.' "To-morrow I shall prosecute my inquiries with regard to the aforesaid Miss Pengarvon." _Hermia Rivers to Clement Hazeldine_. "The sketch you have sent me is an exact counterpart of the sculptured creature seen by me so many years ago. The sight of it has brought back the whole scene to my memory as freshly as if it belonged to yesterday." CHAPTER XXXIII. THE QUEST CONTINUED. _From Clement Hazeldine to Hermia Rivers_. "Having written and posted my last letter to you, I lost no time in asking Mr. Gruding, the landlord of the hotel where I am staying, to again favor me with his company for a short time. It was from him I had obtained my information about Mr. Hodgson, and it seemed not unlikely that he might be able to supply me with some particulars anent Miss Pengarvon, of Broome. "Nor was I mistaken. Gruding had much that was interesting to tell me in answer to the questions I put to him; all of which shall be re-told you fully when next we meet. "The interview with my landlord took place on Saturday. Having decided upon seeing Miss Pengarvon for myself, I made my way yesterday morning to the church she is in the habit of attending, which is situated on the outskirts of the village of Dritton, and within half-a-mile of the Hall; and there, in a square, old-fashioned pew, shut up by herself in isolated dignity, sat the last living representative of the old family.