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"Hildebrand," cried he, quite quietly, "if you could find out what the constable's here for, it would help us, don't you think?"

"I'm going down to do that now, sir," said I; "there'll be time enough to pack your bag while you're at breakfast."

"To pack my bag—what do you want to do that for?" cried he.

"Against accidents," said I; "and while I'm talking about it, let me say that you'd be wise not to go far from home to-day."

He heard me out, and then turned away to the window. I could see that there were tears rolling down his cheeks, and I thought it was fortunate that one of us at least had more than the heart of a woman. But it wasn't the time to say that to him, and I went down stairs to find out, if I could, why the constable had come up to the house, and whether there was any message from Heresford. Lucky enough, I met Mr. Oakley on the landing, and I knew from his manner that we were all right so far.

"Ha, Hildebrand!" said he, "you're the very man I want to see. Reubens, the constable, has been trying to frighten me about those wedding presents down stairs. He seems to think there is a person in the village who is to be suspected. I tell him it is all nonsense. As if any one would rob my house!"

"Reubens has got hold of the wrong end of the stick this time, Mr. Oakley," said I, seeing in a