[CHAPTER IX]
AT WALKTOWN AGAIN
The news came to Walktown, the final confirmation of what had been so long suspected, in a short telegram from Basil, dispatched immediately he had left Downing Street.
Mr. Byars and Helena had been kept well acquainted with every step in the progress of the investigation.
Ever since Gortre had left Walktown, after his holiday visit, his suspicions had been ringing in the vicar's ears.
Then, when the matter had been communicated to Sir Michael and Father Ripon, when Spence had started, and Mr. Byars knew that all the powers of wealth and intellect were at work, his hopes revived.
The vicar's faith had never for a single moment wavered.
In the crash of the creeds his deep conviction never wavered.
The light burned steadily before the altar.
He had been one of the faithful thousands, learned, simple, Methodist, ritualist, who knew that this thing could not be.