He glanced at his wife to discover whether she had observed these unusual proceedings, and, finding that her attention was absorbed in her occupation, he rose quietly, and without saying anything to her went out to investigate matters. Why, in the name of mystery, should John Musgrave prowl about outside the house after the manner of a clumsy trespasser, instead of ringing the bell and stating his business in the ordinary way? The vicar opened the front door and stepped out on the gravelled path, whereupon Mr Musgrave came quickly forward from his place of concealment, and, still looking nervous and painfully self-conscious, approached him. "I am so glad you have come," he said. "I was not sure whether you saw me." "Oh, I saw you," the vicar answered. "Anyone might have seen you. If it had not been yourself, I should have suspected a design on my spoons. Why didn't you come in?" "I wanted to see you alone--on a very private matter. I want your help." The vicar looked faintly surprised. He had on occasions required John Musgrave's help, though not in any personal sense, but he could not remember in all their long acquaintance that John Musgrave had made a demand of this nature before. It puzzled him to think what form the request would take. "Whatever the service may be, you can count it as promised," he said. "Thank you," Mr Musgrave returned warmly. "I know I can rely both on your assistance and on your discretion. The fact is, Walter, I have a-- a--ahem! a note which I wish delivered to Miss Annersley by a trusty messenger. It must not reach any hand but her own, and--and I do not wish to send it by one of my servants. I would prefer that the messenger should be ignorant as to whom the note comes from." "Won't the post serve?" the vicar asked, feeling strongly tempted to laugh. "There isn't time for the post; she must have the note this evening." "So imperative as all that!" Walter Errol looked curiously at the perturbed Mr Musgrave and reflected awhile. Mr Musgrave filled in the pause by explaining the nature of the communication which he was so anxious that Miss Annersley should receive without delay. The explanation robbed the adventure of the quality of romance with which Walter Errol had been colouring it, and thereby detracted considerably from the interest of the enterprise. Had John Musgrave been more experienced in the ways of the world he would have given the explanation first and then have preferred his request, having disarmed suspicion in advance. But Mr Musgrave was so concerned with the necessity for secrecy and dispatch that he lost sight altogether of certain aspects of the case which would have struck anyone less simple of purpose; which did, in fact, strike the vicar, in whose mind the picture of John Musgrave accompanying Miss Annersley and Diogenes on their walk was still sufficiently vivid to predispose his thoughts towards speculations which John Musgrave would never have dreamed of.