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The tinkle of a bicycle bell sounded down the road behind theht the profile she was expecting

"Is that you?" she said, as the rider passed

The man jumped off, touched his hat, and handed her a note She tore it open, and glanced through it in the light of the bicycle lamp Then she crumpled it up and threw it into the ditch with a quick, iht"

The gardener ain and moved off

"Well?" said the old man

"Father Mahon's called away suddenly It's from his housekeeper He'll only be back in time for the first mass tomorrow"

The other nodded, three or four tiirl suddenly

"It is what I should have expected to happen"

"What! Father Mahon?--Do youIt may be coincidence Speak no more of it You have the facts to think of"

About theht Fro of a door, then voices wishing good night, and the sound of footsteps The steps passed the end of the lane and died away again Over the trees to the right were visible the high twisted chimney of the old house where the terror dwelt

"Two points then to ree and Love Can you reain in answer

"I will call and ask to see you as soon as the household is up If you can't seewell--or you can send out a note to me As for Mrs Baxter--"

"I shall not say one word to her until it becomes absolutely necessary And if--"

"If it becomes necessary I ire for a doctor froements, if you will allow me"

Ten steps before the corner they stopped

"God bless you, Miss Deronnais Remember, I am at the inn if you need me"

IV Mrs Baxter dined placidly in bed at about half-past seven; but she was h to drink a little claret and water

"It always goes straight to my head, Charlotte," she explained "Well, set the book--no, not that one--the one bound in white parch laie to tap at one down yet?"