"The man is a gentleman, I suppose, Raston?"
"Certainly. He is my friend. I know the pawnshop of Old Penny. He is a Scotsman, if you can grasp the idea of a Scotsman keeping a pawnshop. I'll tell Marton the whole case, and we can then go to this shop. If possible, we may get back the cup."
"Who is to pay four hundred pounds for it?" asked Tempest.
"We'll see," replied Raston, quietly. "I shall do nothing without Marton's advice. Have I your permission?"
Tempest nodded. "I think it is the best thing you can do. Go to London and keep me advised of everything. I should like to know Mr Marton's opinion of the matter."
"It is probable he'll come down here later on," said the curate; "but in the meantime, Mr Tempest, do nothing to Haverleigh."
"I promise you that," replied the vicar, and the matter being settled in this way, the two men shook hands. Afterwards Raston went to prepare for his departure.
While this was taking place, Leo was talking in the chapel with Hale. Haverleigh had gone up to see if Sybil was about, as he wished to tell her of this new development of the conspiracy against him. Leo felt sure by this time that there was a conspiracy, and that Hale was concerned in it. He was therefore rather pleased when he saw the cripple walking up the hill before him. Leo made up his mind to force the truth out of him, and hurried on so as to catch him. Hale heard his steps, and turned with a queer smile on his face. He was not at all abashed by the presence of the man to whom he had told a lie, but, on the contrary, welcomed him in the most friendly manner. Haverleigh was irritated by this false behaviour. "Either you think me innocent, and wish to be my friend," he said, "or you believe that I am guilty and have some reason to be feigning good fellowship. I must have some understanding with you, Hale. Come into the chapel. We will not be disturbed there as it is mid-day and everyone is at dinner," and Leo, without waiting for a reply, entered the door.
The chapel was empty; even Sybil was not in sight. Hearing the halting steps of the cripple behind him, Leo led the way into the crusaders' chapel, where he sat down beside one of the tombs. Hale paused before him and looked down in a whimsical manner. "You have chosen a strange place," he said, looking round.
"It is a sacred place," replied Leo, coolly; "and you may be the less inclined to tell lies. I presume you have some religion."