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142 for hearing me so patiently as you have done. My offence appears to be more heinous than I had at first considered it, but I should like to know what your final decision is. If you see any loophole through which a hardened, but repentant criminal might escape, I should be obliged if you pointed it out. If not, I shall wait until I learn the result of your vote, and, of course, like any other malefactor, I must abide by the verdict."

"I move," said Mr. Bennet, "that this Council accepts the cottages as they stand."

"I second the motion," responded Grice.

"I move an amendment," proclaimed Simpkins, "which is that this Council abide by the law, and require Lord Stranleigh to remove the unauthorised cottages before this day six months."

"I second the amendment," said William Robinson.

The amendment was carried with only two dissenting voices. When the chairman announced the result of the vote Lord Stranleigh again bowed to the assemblage, thanked them once more, bade them good-day, and withdrew. The Council was triumphant, but somehow, as they saw the back of his lordship disappear, a feeling of uneasiness gradually overspread the congregation. The two farmers got up with expletives that sounded dangerously like oaths, and followed the young man outside.