your hospitality for a few days longer. These men here inform me
that my innocent interest in pointing out to you that spot of
blood on Mrs. Webb's lawn has awakened some curiosity, and that I
am wanted as a witness by the coroner."

Mr. Sutherland, with a quick stride, lessened the distance between
himself and these unwelcome intruders. "The coroner's wishes are
paramount just now," said he, but the look he gave his son was not
soon forgotten by the spectators.




IX

A GRAND WOMAN


There was but one topic discussed in the country-side that day,
and that was the life and character of Agatha Webb.

Her history had not been a happy one. She and Philemon had come
from Portchester some twenty or more years before to escape the
sorrows associated with their native town. They had left behind
them six small graves in Portchester churchyard; but though
evidences of their affliction were always to be seen in the
countenances of either, they had entered with so much purpose into
the life of their adopted town that they had become persons of
note there till Philemon's health began to fail, when Agatha quit
all outside work and devoted herself exclusively to him. Of her