It was the early afternoon of the sixth day after Gumley's trial and conviction. In the library at Fairlawn, which just then he had all to himself, Mr. Wicks was planted with his back to the empty fireplace, a newspaper which had just arrived in one hand, and a paper knife in the other. As he stood thus he soliloquized aloud: "Well, of all the rummy goes I ever heard tell of, this licks the lot! To think of Mr. Roden Marsh going and giving himself up as being the murderer of the first Mrs. Drelincourt! But I must say that I never did altogether approve of Mr. Marsh and his goings on. Not that he was what one might call stuck up, because he wasn't. But, for all that, he had ways about him which I couldn't stummick." The turning of the door handle transformed him on the instant into a different being. It was Mrs. Drelincourt who now entered the room. "Has your master returned yet, Wicks?" "I have seen nothing of him, ma'am." He was standing at the center table, cutting the newspaper in readiness for Mr. Drelincourt. "Have _you_ heard anything of this dreadful rumor?" "Meaning about Mr. Marsh, ma'am? I can't deny, ma'am, but what I 'ave heard about it: It's in everybody's mouth, if I may make so bold as to say so." "When and by whom was the rumor brought?" "By a messenger from Sunbridge about a couple of hours ago. He brought a letter for master from Mr. Marsh, who, so the man said, is now in Sunbridge jail, having given hisself up to the police late yesterday evening." "Great Heaven! Can this be true? Where is the letter?" Wicks took it off the writing desk where he had laid it, and handed it to his mistress. "The messenger brought it, ma'am, when you were out in the pony carriage." "Yes, it is Roden's writing," said Mrs. Drelincourt to herself, as she glanced at the superscription. For a moment or two she pressed her hand to her heart; then, as she gave back the letter, she said: "But do you mean to imply that Mr. Marsh was away from home all last night?" "According to the chambermaid, ma'am, his bed had not been slep' in." The door was opened quickly, and Marian, followed by Walter, entered the room. "Mamma----" began the former, and then stopped at sight of Wicks. "That will do, Wicks," said Mrs. Drelincourt. The man bowed and left the room. Then Marian began afresh. "I can see by your face, mamma, that you have heard this terrible rumor; but surely, surely it cannot be true!" "As you say, dear, it surely cannot be true. And yet I know not what to think. That Roden is in prison seems an undoubted fact." "The report goes that he went into Sunbridge last evening, and gave himself up to the police." This from Walter. "As a murderer," said Marian with a shudder. "Oh, it seems incredible!"