Mr. Sutherland pondered. "Possibly; I do not remember. Frederick
was seated at the table with me, and my housekeeper was pouring
out the coffee, but it was early for Miss Page. She has been
putting on great airs of late."

"Can it be possible he is trying to blind himself to the fact that
his son Frederick wishes to marry this girl?" muttered the
clergyman into the constable's ear.

The constable shook his head. Mr. Sutherland was one of those
debonair men, whose very mildness makes them impenetrable.




V

A SPOT ON THE LAWN


The coroner, on leaving the house, was followed by Mr. Sutherland.
As the fine figures of the two men appeared on the doorstep, a
faint cheer was heard from the two or three favoured persons who
were allowed to look through the gate. But to this token of
welcome neither gentleman responded by so much as a look, all
their attention being engrossed by the sight of the solitary
figure of Miss Page, who still held her stand upon the lawn.
Motionless as a statue, but with her eyes fixed upon their faces,
she awaited their approach. When they were near her she thrust one