There came back a letter from Mr.Arabin, saying that on the 17th of March he had given to Mr.Crawley a sum of fifty pounds, and that the payment had been made with five Bank of England notes of ten pounds each, which had been handed by him to his friend in the library at the deanery.

The letter was very short, and may, perhaps, be described as having been almost curt.

Mr.Walker, in his anxiety to do the best he could for Mr.Crawley, had simply asked a question as to the nature of the transaction between the two gentlemen, saying that no doubt the dean's answer would clear up a little mystery which existed at present respecting a cheque for twenty pounds.

The dean in answer simply stated the fact as it has been given above; but he wrote to Mr.Crawley begging to know what was in truth this new difficulty, and offering any assistance in his power.

He explained all the circumstances of the money, as he remembered them.