"By the way, what about that piece of land you were speaking of ?" "Ah!" said the lawyer, making as near an approach to a blush as he could muster, "the fact is, Hodder's lease falls in next week.

He has had it at a ridiculously low figure, and is not a profitable tenant." "That is the old dotard who is always croaking about Maxfield in the days before the Flood ?" "Well, almost as remote a period.

He was here in the time of the late squire's father.

At any rate his lease falls in; and I happen to know a person who is willing to give twenty per cent more for the land than he pays.

I can't tell you his name," said the lawyer, looking sufficiently conscious, "but I happen to know he would be a better tenant to Maxfield than the old man." Mr Pottinger amused himself with making a little mystery about a matter that was no secret to Captain Oliphant.