has presented to me the letter with which he was charged, addressed to
myself, with the seal intact. I regret to add that there is, to say the
least of it, some mistake. The inclosure referred to by the anonymous
writer of the letter, who signs 'a friend in need,' has not reached me.
No five-hundred pound bank-note was in the letter when I opened it.
My wife was present when I broke the seal, and can certify to this
statement if necessary. Not knowing who my charitable correspondent is
(Mr. Moody being forbidden to give me any information), I can only take
this means of stating the case exactly as it stands, and hold myself at
the disposal of the writer of the letter. My private address is at the
head of the page.--Samuel Bradstock, Rector, St. Anne's, Deansbury,
London."

Lady Lydiard dropped the paper on the table. For the moment, plainly as
the Rector's statement was expressed, she appeared to be incapable of
understanding it. "What, in God's name, does this mean?" she asked.

The lawyer and the steward looked at each other. Which of the two was
entitled to speak first? Lady Lydiard gave them no time to decide.
"Moody," she said sternly, "you took charge of the letter--I look to you
for an explanation."

Moody's dark eyes flashed. He answered Lady Lydiard without caring to
conceal that he resented the tone in which she had spoken to him.

"I undertook to deliver the letter at its address," he said. "I found
it, sealed, on the table. Your Ladyship has the clergyman's written
testimony that I handed it to him with the seal unbroken. I have done my
duty; and I have no explanation to offer."