"I was hovering about outside that shed of mine, and I saw the encounter at the parson's gate--for that's where it took place.

The first thing the fellow did when it was all over was to bolt across the road, and accuse me of purposely misleading him.

'Not a bit of it,' said I; 'if I did mislead you, it was unintentional, for I took the one who came over the bridge on Saturday to be Lord Hartledon, safe as eggs.

But they have been down here only a week,' I went on, 'and I suppose I don't know 'em apart yet.' I can't say whether he believed me; I think he did; he's a soft sort of chap.

It was all right, he said: the earl had passed his word to him that it should be made so without his arresting Mr.Elster, and he was off to London at once." "And he has gone ?" Mr.Pike nodded significantly.