"You don't know anything about it," he said, sharply. "If the beasts mean mischief again, they'll try to get me away from here, and most likely they are watching every train to catch me. If I slip over in the middle of the night, I shall be safe; for no one will think I am there. What do you say, parson?" The vicar sat thinking for a few moments, and then gave in his acquiescence to the plan. "But you must keep strictly in hiding," he said. "Well, it won't be for long," replied Richard; "and won't be more dull than being in here." Eve winced a little, but she turned and tried to smile. "But would it be wise, Mr Selwood?" exclaimed Mrs Glaire, eagerly. "Yes; I think it would," said the vicar, "if he can get there unseen. If these misguided men do search for him, that is one of the last places they will go to, I feel sure. But will you keep closely in hiding? Would it not be better to give way at once?" he continued, addressing Richard. "I have said what I mean to do," said Richard, sharply; "and what I say I keep to." The vicar bowed his head, and lent himself as much as was likely to be acceptable to the scheme; ending by saying, with a smile on his face-- "I hope, Miss Pelly, that this is the last of these unpleasant affairs we shall ever have here; for rest assured I shall lose no time in trying to bring the people to a better way of thinking." He rose and left them, it being thoroughly understood that Richard was to go into hiding that very night, while the vicar would communicate with the police, to ensure some protection for the house; though all felt it to be needless, as any attack was certain to be made on Richard personally. As he reached the door, though, the vicar turned to Richard-- "Shall I come and be your companion every night? I will come. I can sleep on a bare board with any fellow, and," he added, smiling, "I enjoy a pipe." Richard jumped eagerly at the idea, and was about to say yes, but the evil part of his nature prevailed. "No," he said rudely; "when I want Mr Selwood's help I will ask for it." "As you will, Mr Glaire," was the reply; "and I hope you will. Good-bye, Mrs Glaire--Miss Pelly, and I sincerely hope this will prove a false alarm." "If that fellow thinks he's coming to my place after the marriage, he's grievously mistaken," said Richard to himself, and the door closed. Meanwhile the vicar called at the station, and after a few words about the burglary and the forthcoming examination-- "By the way, Smith," he said to the constable, "will you and your man oblige me by keeping a strict watch over the House--Mr Glaire's--for the next week? I have my reasons." "Certainly, sir," was the reply; "and, by the way, sir, my missus's duty to you for the port wine: it's doing her a sight o' good." "Glad of it, Smith; send down for some more when that's done." "He's a good sort," muttered the policeman, "that he is; but he ought to have sent up for me the other night."