Baltic was the _deus ex machina_ to strike the spark for ignition, but he seemed in no hurry to do so. Punctual to his promise he returned to Beorminster, and heard Sir Harry's report about the pistol with grave attention. Without venturing an opinion for or against the curate, he asked Sir Harry to preserve a strict silence until such time as he gave him leave to speak, and afterwards took his way to Gabriel's lodgings in the lower part of the town. There he was fortunate enough to find young Pendle within doors, and after a lengthy interview with him on matters connected with the crime, he again sought the baronet. A detailed explanation to that gentleman resulted in a visit of both to Sir Harry's bank, and an interesting conversation with its manager. When Brace and Baltic finally found themselves on the pavement, the face of the first wore an expression of exultation, while the latter, in his reticent way, looked soberly satisfied. Both had every reason for these signs of triumph, for they had touched the highest pinnacle of success. 'I suppose there can be no doubt about it, Baltic?' 'None whatever, Sir Harry. Every link in the chain of evidence is complete.' 'You are a wonderful man, Baltic; you have scored off that fool of a Tinkler in a very neat way.' 'The inspector is no fool in his own sphere, sir,' reproved the serious ex-sailor, 'but this case happened to be beyond it.' 'And beyond him also,' chuckled the baronet. 'There is no denying that, Sir Harry. However, the man is useful in his own place, and having done my part, I shall now ask him to do his.' 'What is his task, eh?' 'To procure a warrant on my evidence. The man must be arrested this afternoon.' 'And then, Baltic?' 'Then, sir,' said the man, solemnly, 'I shall be no longer an agent, but a missionary; and in my own poor way I shall strive to bring him to repentance.' 'After bringing him to the gallows. A queer way of inducing good, Baltic.' 'Whoso loseth all gaineth all,' quoted Baltic, in all earnestness; 'my mission is not to destroy souls but to save them.' 'Humph! you destroy the material part for the salvation of the spiritual. A man called Torquemada conducted his religious crusade in the same way some hundreds of years ago, and has been cursed for his system by humanity ever since. Your morality--or rather I should say your religiosity--is beyond me, Baltic.' '_Magnas veritas et praevalebit!_' misquoted Baltic, solemnly, and, touching his hat roughly, turned away to finish the work he felt himself called upon by his religious convictions to execute.