The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-21
(Continued.)

What suggestions OF any mystery uneh-
planned had arisen out OF my visit 20 the
vestry? / saw no suggestions anywhere
What progress had ! made toward dls-
covering the suspected stain on the repu-
tation OF Sir Percivars mother? Inc one
fact I had ascertained vindicated her rep
utation. Fresh doubts, fresh dlniculties'
fresh delays. began TO open before me IN
interminable prospect: What was 10 90
next? The one Immediate resource left to
me appeared 20 be this: | might institute
Inquiries about Miss Elster, of Knowles
bury" on the chance Of advancing to-
ward the main object of my investgat ton,
by first discovering the secret OF Mrs.
Catherick's contempt for Sir Percivals
mother.
Have you found what you wanted.
sir7" said the clerk, as closed the regis
ter-book.
YES" I replied; but have some in
quries still TO make. l suppose the
clergyman who officiated here In
eighteen hundred and three Is no Longer r
alive?"
NO. no. sir; he was dead three or four
years before I came here--and that WIS
as long ago as the year tw'enty-seven. j
got this place, sir. persisted my TAXA
tive old friend, through the clerk be-
fore me leaving IT, They say he was
wife-and she's living still, down in the
new town there don't know the rights
OF the story myself; all l know Is, got
the place Mr. wansborough got II for
me-the son OF my old master that was
telling you Of He's a free, pleasant gen
tleman as ever lived, rides 10 hounds,
keeps his pointers, and all that. He's
vestry-clerk here now, as his father was
before him."
'Did you not tell me your former mas
ter lived at Knowlesbury?' I asked, call
ing 70 mind the long story about the pre-
else gentleman Of the old school. with
which my talkative friend had wearied
me before he opened the register-book.
''Yes, to be sure SIR" replied the clerk
-"Old Mr.. wansborough lived at Knowles
bury, and young Mr.. Wansborough lives
there too"
You said lust now he was vestry-clerk
like his father before him / am not quite
sure that know what a vestry clerk Is.
Don't YOU indeed. sir?-and you como
from London too, Every parish church
you know has a vestry clerk and par
ish clerk The parish clerk is n man lik
me Except that I've got deal NOR
learning rhan most OF them-though
don't boast OF ~. The vestry clerk Is
sort OF an appointment that the lawyer
get: and II there's any business TO b.
to do II. It's just the same In London. Ev
cry parish church there has got Its YES
try clerk-and. you may take my wore
for IT, he's sure TO be lawyer
Then. young Mr. wansborough is
lawyer, I SUPPOSE
"Of course he is. sir, A lawyer In Higl
street, Knowlesbury--the old offices tina
his father had before him. The number o
! times I've swept those offices out, AM
seen the old gentleman come trotting Il
to business on his white pony, lookini
right and left all down the street. an'
nodding 10 everybody! Bless you. he wa!
a popular character'-he's have done II
London,'
How far Is II to Knowlesbury from
this place."
"A long stretch. sir" said the clerk
with that exaggerated idea OF distance
and that vivid perception OF difficulties II
getting from place to place which Is pecu
! liar 20 all country people. Nigh on flv
mile. can tell you
II was still early IN the forenoon Their
was plenty Of time for walk 10 Know
lesbury. and back again to Welmingham
and there was no person, probably, In tn
town who was filter 10 assist my inquir
les about the character and position o
Sir Percivals mother before her mar
riage. than the local solicitor Resolving
10 go at once TO Knowle.bury on foot.
led the way out of the vestry
Thank you kindly. sir" said the clerk
as slipped my little present into hi'
hand Are YOU really going TO walk al
the way 20 Knowlesbury and back
We'll, you're strong on your legs. too
and what n blessing that is. Nisnt ~,
There's the road: you cant miss a.
wish I was going your way-it's pleasant
to meet with gentlemen from London I'm a
lost corner like this one hears the news
Wish YOU good morning strand thank
YOU kindly once more
We parted. As left the church behind
me looked back-and there were the
two men again. on the road below. with
n third I'm their company. that third per.
son being the short man In black whom
7 had traced 20 the railway the evening
before
The three stood talking together for n
little while-then separated. The man IN
black went away ~ himself toward wei
ninsham the other two remained togeth-
e- evidently waiting % follow me-. as
soon a. 7 walked on
7 proceeded on my wav. without iettirr
the fellows see tha, took any special no.
tice % them. They caused me no con-
sciOus Irritation OF feeling AZ that rnc.