'Well, bishop, I agree with you. Mother Jael cannot know much or she would have spoken plainer. So far as she is concerned, I fancy your secret is pretty safe; but,' added Graham, with a glance at the door, 'what about Cargrim?' 'He knows nothing, Graham.' 'Perhaps not, but he suspects much.' 'Suspects!' echoed the bishop, in scared tones. 'What can he suspect?' 'That you killed Jentham,' said Graham, quietly. Dr Pendle looked incredulously at his friend. 'I--I--murder--I kill--what--Cargrim--says,' he stammered; then asked him with a sharp rush of speech, 'Is the man mad?' 'No; but he is a scoundrel, as I told you. Listen, bishop,' and in his rapid way Graham reported to Dr Pendle all that Harry Brace had told him regarding Cargrim and his schemes. The bishop listened in incredulous silence; but, almost against his will, he was obliged to believe in Graham's story. That a man whom he trusted, whom he had treated with such kindness, should have dug this pit for him to fall into, was almost beyond belief; and when the truth of the accusation was forced upon him, he hardly knew what to say about so great a traitor. But he made up his mind to one thing. 'I shall dismiss him at once!' he said determinedly. 'No, bishop. It is unwise to drive a rat into a corner; and Cargrim may prove himself dangerous if sharply treated. Better tolerate his presence until Baltic discovers the real criminal.' 'I don't like the position,' said the bishop, frowning. 'No man would. However, it is better to temporise than to risk all and lose all. Better let him remain, Pendle.' 'Very well, Graham, I shall take your advice.' 'Good!' Graham rose to depart. 'And Gabriel?' he asked, with his hand on the door. 'Send him to me, doctor. I must speak to him.' 'You won't scold him for seeing me first, I hope.' 'Scold him,' said the bishop, with a melancholy smile. 'Alas, my friend, the situation is too serious for scolding!' CHAPTER XXXI MR BALTIC ON THE TRAIL