'And they can't come _to-day_?'

'Certainly not.'

And poor William Wylder breathed again in the delightful sense of even
momentary escape, and felt he could have embraced his preserver.

'I'll be very happy to see you to-morrow, if you can conveniently look
in--say at twelve, or half-past, to report progress.'

So that was arranged; and again in the illusive sense of deliverance, the
poor vicar's hopes brightened and expanded. Hitherto his escapes had not
led to safety, and he was only raised from the pit to be sold to the
Ishmaelites.




CHAPTER LV.

THE CAPTAIN AND THE ATTORNEY CONVERSE AMONG THE TOMBS.


I cannot tell whether that slender, silken machinator, Captain Lake,
loitered in the chapel for the purpose of talking to or avoiding Jos.
Larkin, who was standing at the doorway, in sad but gracious converse
with the vicar.

He was certainly observing him from among the tombs in his sly way. And