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 Influenced by a second thought, she readily obeyed. She had something to tell, and there might be help in these. She sat down with the jewels upon her; and they again indulged in conjectures as to where Jonathan could possibly be with their baggage. The ale they had poured out for his consumption when he came had gone flat with long standing.

Shortly after this they began supper, which was already laid on a side-table. Ere they had finished there was a jerk in the fire-smoke, the rising skein of which bulged out into the room, as if some giant had laid his hand on the chimney-top for a moment. It had been caused by the opening of the outer door. A heavy step was now heard in the passage, and Angel went out.

‘I couldn’ make nobody hear at all by knocking,’ apologized Jonathan Kail, for it was he at last; ‘and as’t was raining out I opened the door. I’ve brought the things, sir.’

‘I am very glad to see them. But you are very late.’

‘Well, yes, sir.’

There was something subdued in Jonathan