[Illustration: "She'll be riding in her carriage and pair in six months"]


"Oh, all right," said Mr. Bignell. "You know best of course. I was just
giving you the tip, but if you know better--why, there's nothing more to
be said. She'll be riding in her carriage and pair in six months,
anyhow; the richest woman in Little Molton."

Mr. Clarkson stopped short and eyed him in perplexity.

"Digson got a bit sprung one night and told me," said Mr. Bignell. "She
don't know it herself yet--uncle on her mother's side in America. She
might know at any moment."

"But--but how did Digson know?" inquired the astonished Mr. Clarkson.

"He wouldn't tell me," was the reply. "But it's good enough for him.
What do you think he's after? Her? And mind, don't let on to a soul
that I told you."

He walked on, leaving Mr. Clarkson standing in a dazed condition in the
centre of the foot-path. Recovering himself by an effort, he walked
slowly away, and, after prowling about for some time in an aimless
fashion, made his way back to Mrs. Phipps's house.

He emerged an hour later an engaged man, with the date of the wedding
fixed. With jaunty steps he walked round and put up the banns, and then,
with the air of a man who has completed a successful stroke of business,