The Black Patch

ned the door. It was never locked, as no one would be likely to enter. The matches and a candle were on a table by the bed, where she had left them, a

and will not be back for three days. Durba

her stepfather frequently went away on business, and at times very unexpectedly, but she had never known him to take so hasty a departure. However, after a glance at the note, she determined to go to bed, being too weary to think of anything; too weary even to reflect that she was alone in that lonely Camp, and that the gate had been open when she arrived. A memory of the stranger with the black patch ove

nd her limbs ached a trifle, but for a moment or so she could not think how she came to be so tired. Then the memory of all that had happened rushed in on her brain, and she sprang f

rned. Also, Vivian might have got into trouble with the man who had watched them meet under the Witches' Oak. Then, again, the gate of The Camp had been open when she returned, and a stranger had left the place hurriedly. All these things were very strange and disquieting, and Beatr

rd a manner, also puzzled the girl. From what she could recall of the scrappy conversation it had been like one in a nightmare; and, indeed, the whole episode was far removed from the commonplace. The meeting-place under the ill-omened tree--the few hurri

ripped from the trees round The Camp, the flower-beds presented a draggled appearance, and the sundial had been blown down. For the rest, everything looked the same at usual. When she glanced at the dungeon, she saw that the door was closed and the blind was down, although this latter was a trifle askew. Beatrice could have gratified her curiosity by looking into the

-car, so she spread a cloth on the kitchen table, and made a very good meal. When she had finished, she washed the dishes and put them away; then went out again, feeling much bett

e had met the man and had fought with him? What if the man had hurt him? She asked herself these questions, and half determined to go over to Convent Grange in order to get answers. But she did not wish to leave The Camp until Durban came back, since Alpenny was absent. Still the desire to hear and

the gate, which was still unlocked. To her surprise

er species, hard and sour. Mrs. Snow had never been a pretty woman, and never an agreeable one, and as she faced Beatrice with what was meant to be a smile, she looked like a disappointed spinster. Yet she was the wife of the vicar, and the mother of Jerry, so she certainly should have looked mor

nished, as well she might be, seeing that the vicare

surprised to see me. But I have come to see Mr. Alpenny as my husband's richest parishioner. Last night's storm has damaged the spire of our

dly, "and will not be back for a few

ut you down

annoyed by the greed and persistenc

Parlour, and the vicar's wife was presently seated on the linen-covered sofa, glancing with sharp eyes round the pretty place. It need hardly be said that she glanced with in

aid Mrs. Snow, still tryin

making herself thus pleasant in order to get money for the spire. Besides, the spire had only been damaged on the previous night, and it seemed strange that the woman should begin to hunt for

daunted by the frosty manner of her hostess, "but my husband, poor man, i

pologise, Mrs. Snow. I

ng!" gushed the vicaress. "I, of cou

friends

my son to Miss Paslow does not please me. I really thought"--here Mrs.

ways been devoted

ome of the veneer of her gracious manner wearing

and to your son," said Beatrice col

at you, being a friend of Miss Paslow's, m

n a frosty manner, and beginning to gain an inkling

ble, Miss Hedge. I hope you will come and see me at the Vicarag

Snow; but I never go out. My

. "I was in town only two weeks ago, and Lady Watson ment

on her. I don't ev

Snow really did look puzzl

"What is there t

ied your mother and adopted you when she died. I was not here when

eatrice coldly. "And how does this

friend of your mot

of learning something that neither Durban nor Alpenn

ge. She is coming in a few w

to find out if she had any relatives, as she was determined not to marry Ruck, and knew that if she did not, Alpenny was quite capable of turning her out of doors. Of course Durban would always look

n the Grange since the reign of Henry VIII. It was originally a convent, you know, and the Paslow of those days was presented with it,

ice, rather weary of this small-talk, and

place up. I expect he'll go to the colonies, or some such place.

ably clear off the mortgages and live in the style of his forefathers. But she restrained her inclination, as

too, they say, although I don't believe in ghosts myself. But I hear an Indian colonel was murde

ndering why Dinah had never imparted so

I heard about it from an old shepherd who keeps sheep on the Downs. Orchard is his name,

of a shepherd b

I understand that the poor man's nerves were so wrecked by the sight of the dead body that the docto

ered Colo

jewels was stolen at the time, and was never found. But even if the Paslows didn't tell you about this,

r never tells

who is dead. But he took up this money-lending business, which really is not respectable, besides which, it is quite forbidden by the Mosaic law. Well, I must be going." Mrs. Sn

Beatrice dryly, and wondering what all this alarmi

Mrs. Snow stepped out into the sunshine as she spoke, and pointed her slate-coloured parasol towards Durban, who was standing near. He must have approached very softly, and must have heard ever

see you. Father has gone away.

harming place!" She looked round severely and walked from one carriage to another. "Your bedroom, a dining-room, ano

dy," said Durban, who was close at her

ome, so he can't object," and before any one could stop her she was peeping through the window, where the blind was askew. Then she g

orward and pushing the meddling woman a

unch of skeleton keys. Both the women, pale and terrified, stood beside him while he fitted these into the lock. None would open th

en murdered. I shal

er knew. When I came home last night, he left a note

with a log," inte

ought so stout a man was capable, he caught this in the middle, and, retiring for a few paces, made a run at th

you to see," sh

rl, angry at the liberty, and pushi

aged to gain a glimpse of a stiff figure

hrieked the girl; "hi

stole a glance at Durban, which made the man turn