"Oh! I am a clergyman," he said; "and the clergy are often appealed to about odd matters." Again the latch rattled.

     "No; that does not satisfy me!" I exclaimed: and indeed there was something in the hasty and unexplanatory reply which, instead of allaying, piqued my curiosity more than ever.

     "It is a very strange piece of business," I added; "I must know more about it."

     "Another time."

     "No; to-night!--to-night!" and as he turned from the door, I placed myself between it and him. He looked rather embarrassed.

     "You certainly shall not go till you have told me all," I said.

     "I would rather not just now."

     "You shall!--you must!"

     "I would rather Diana or Mary informed you."

     Of course these objections wrought my eagerness to a climax: gratified it must be, and that without delay; and I told him so.