CHAPTER XXVI.
"Oh, depend upon it," said Mrs.Tenterden, in her heavy, consequential way, "there's more behind than _we_ shall ever know! 'Unsound mind,' indeed She was no more of unsound mind than _I_ am!" It was after church, and Mrs.Mumbray, alone this morning, had offered the heavy lady a place in her brougham.

The whole congregation had but one topic as they streamed into the unconsecrated daylight.

Never was such eagerness for the strains of the voluntary which allowed them to start up from attitudes of profound meditation, and look round for their acquaintances.

Yesterday's paper--the _Polterham Examiner_ unfortunately--reported the inquest, and people had to make the most of those meagre paragraphs--until the _Mercury_ came out, when fuller and less considerate details might be hoped for.

The whispering, the nodding, the screwing up of lips, the portentous frowning and the shaking of heads--no such excitement was on record! "To me," remarked Mrs.Mumbray, with an air of great responsibility, "the mystery is too plain.