Luckily the Reverend Eames had just returned to his study and answered immediately.

In her embarrassment she plunged as usual into the middle of her carefully prepared speech, explaining so tremulously and incoherently that for a moment her puzzled listener was doubtful of his questioner's sanity.
Finally, when made to understand, he was very kind and very sympathetic, but his answer merely sent her on another quest.

She would have to apply to the treasurer, he told her, Mr.Charles Oatley, who always took charge of all collections of the church, depositing them in the bank in the city, in which he was a director.

That was all the information he could give her about it.

Yes, Mr.Oatley lived in the country, near the village, at Oatley Crest.