 the subject.
    »Perhaps you had better tell me,« he replied, »whether you are really
uneasy.«
    It was impossible for Buckland to answer as his mind prompted. He could not
without offence declare that no young man of brains now adopted a clerical
career with pure intentions, yet such was his sincere belief. Made tolerant in
many directions by the cultivation of his shrewdness, he was hopelessly biassed
in judgment as soon as his anti-religious prejudice came into play - a point of
strong resemblance between him and Peak. After fidgeting for a moment, he
exclaimed:
    »Yes, I am; but I can't be sure that there's any cause for it.«
    »Let us come to matters of fact,« said Mr. Warricombe, showing that he was
not sorry to discuss this side of the affair. »I suppose there is no doubt that
Peak had a position till lately at the place he speaks of?«
    »No doubt whatever. I have taken pains to ascertain that. His account of
himself, so far, is strictly true.«
    Martin smiled, with satisfaction he did not care to disguise.
    »Have you met some acquaintance of his?«
    »Well,« answered Buckland, changing his position, »I went to work in rather
an underhand way, perhaps, - but the results are satisfactory. No, I haven't
come across any of his friends, but I happened to hear not long ago that he was
on intimate terms with some journalists.«
    His father laughed.
    »Anything compromising in that association, Buckland?«
    »I don't say that - though the fellows I speak of are hot Radicals.«
    »Though?«
    »I mean,« replied the young man, with his shrewder smile, »that they are not
exactly the companions a theological student would select.«
    »I understand. Possibly he has journalised a little himself?«
    »That I can't say, though I should have thought it likely enough. I might,
of course, find out much more about him, but it seemed to me that to have
assurance of his truthfulness in that one respect was enough for the present.«
    »Do you mean, Buckland,« asked his father, gravely, »that you have been
setting secret police at work?«
    »Well, yes. I thought it the least objectionable way of getting
information.«
    Martin compressed his lips and looked disapproval.
    »I really can't see that such extreme measures were demanded. Come, come;
what
