"Never mind," said the archdeacon at last; "send the message all the same.

The news must be sent to someone, and there is at present no one else in a position to receive it.

Do it at once, my dear friend; you know I would not trouble you, were I in a state to do it myself.

A few minutes' time is of the greatest importance." Mr.Harding went out and sent the message, and it may be as well that we should follow it to its destination.

Within thirty minutes of its leaving Barchester it reached the Earl of -- -- in his inner library.