dinner together, and spent the evening together. Of course,
we took them for friends. But they didn't go out together
this morning, though they'd breakfast together. After
breakfast, Mr. Dellingham asked me the way to the old Manor
Mill, and he went off there, so I concluded. Mr. Braden, he
hung about a bit, studying a local directory I'd lent him,
and after a while he asked me if he could hire a trap to take
him out to Saxonsteade this afternoon. Of course, I said he
could, and he arranged for it to be ready at two-thirty. Then
he went out, and across the market towards the Cathedral. And
that," concluded Mrs. Partingley, "is about all I know,
gentlemen."

"Saxonsteade, eh?" remarked Mitchington. "Did he say anything
about his reasons for going there?"

"Well, yes, he did," replied the landlady. "For he asked me
if I thought he'd be likely to find the Duke at home at that
time of day. I said I knew his Grace was at Saxonsteade just
now, and that I should think the middle of the afternoon would
be a good time."

"He didn't tell you his business with the Duke?" asked
Mitchington.

"Not a word!" said the landlady. "Oh, no!--just that, and no
more. But--here's Mr. Dellingham."

Bryce turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered, bearded man pass
the window--the door opened and he walked in, to glance