"Why?" he said, abruptly. "Why?" exclaimed the young vicar, flushing. "Mr Penwynn, can you ask me that?" "Mr Lee," said the banker, "I'd give a thousand pounds down to believe as you do. I have been waiting here all the morning for Mr Trethick to come to me--to bring me, as he should, the bad news of the flooding of the mine, and, if it is necessary, to defend himself against this charge that is brought against him; and he does not come. What am I to think?" "Think him innocent, Mr Penwynn. I for one cannot believe such a charge to be true. But here is Mr Trethick," he cried, as a hasty step was heard upon the gravel, and, without waiting to be announced, Geoffrey walked straight in. The vicar started at his appearance, for he was haggard and his eyes red. He had evidently not been to bed all night, and his clothes were dusty and covered with red earth. There was a curious excited look, too, about his face, as he stared from one to the other, and then said, hoarsely,-- "Ruin, Mr Penwynn; the mine is drowned." "So I heard, Mr Trethick, before I was up," said the banker, coldly. "I sat by the furnace-fire all night," said Geoffrey, in the same low, hoarse voice, "trying to think it out, for I know--I'll swear this is the work of some scoundrel; and if I can prove it--" He did not finish, but stood with his fists clenched looking from one to the other. "I've been asleep," he said, "and I'm not half awake yet. I felt half-mad this morning. I drank some brandy to try and calm me, but it has made me worse." "There is no doubt about that. We will talk about the mine some other time, Mr Trethick," said the banker. "Will you leave my house now? You are not in a fit state to discuss matters." "Fit state?" said Geoffrey. "Yes, I am in a fit state; but the accident has been almost maddening. No; it was no accident. I'll swear it has been done." "Perhaps so," said the banker, calmly; "but will you return to your apartments now. I will send for you to-morrow." "My apartments?" exclaimed Geoffrey, with a harsh laugh. "Where are they? I have none now. Mr Lee, will you give me your arm; my head swims. Take me down to Rumsey's place. I'm going wrong I think--or something--there was--little brandy in the--in the--what was I saying-- the men--bottle--furnace-house--I was--faint--Pengelly gave me--I--I-- can't see--is--is it night? Fetch--Rhoda. I--" He sank heavily upon the floor, for it was as he said. He had remained watching by the dying furnace-fire the whole night, and then, heart-sick and faint, he had taken the little cup of brandy and water Pengelly handed to him, the remains of the bottle from which the two watchers had been drugged, and, little as he had taken, it had been enough to send him into a deep sleep, from which he had at last risen to hurry up to An Morlock--drunk, so the servants said. "Disgracefully intoxicated!" Mr Penwynn declared.