misericordioe_, the House of Mercy, and, as the region was Mercian, the
two names became involved. As Columba is the Latin for dove, the dove
became a sort of signification of the nunnery. She seized on the idea
and made the newly-founded nunnery a house of doves. Someone sent her a
freshly-discovered dove, a sort of carrier, but which had in the white
feathers of its head and neck the form of a religious cowl. The nunnery
flourished for more than a century, when, in the time of Penda, who was
the reactionary of heathendom, it fell into decay. In the meantime the
doves, protected by religious feeling, had increased mightily, and were
known in all Catholic communities. When King Offa ruled in Mercia, about
a hundred and fifty years later, he restored Christianity, and under its
protection the nunnery of St. Columba was restored and its doves
flourished again. In process of time this religious house again fell
into desuetude; but before it disappeared it had achieved a great name
for good works, and in especial for the piety of its members. If deeds
and prayers and hopes and earnest thinking leave anywhere any moral
effect, Mercy Farm and all around it have almost the right to be
considered holy ground."

"Thank you, sir," said Adam earnestly, and was silent. Sir Nathaniel
understood.

After lunch that day, Adam casually asked Sir Nathaniel to come for a
walk with him. The keen-witted old diplomatist guessed that there must
be some motive behind the suggestion, and he at once agreed.

As soon as they were free from observation, Adam began.

"I am afraid, sir, that there is more going on in this neighbourhood than
most people imagine. I was out this morning, and on the edge of the