“Good evening, Mr. Headstone. Mary Anne, a chair.”

“Thank you,” said Bradley, seating himself in his constrained manner. “This is but a flying visit. I have looked in, on my way, to ask a kindness of you as a neighbour.”

“Did you say on your way, Mr. Headstone?” asked Miss Peecher.

“On my way to⁠—where I am going.”

“Church Street, Smith Square, by Mill Bank,” repeated Miss Peecher, in her own thoughts.

“Charley Hexam has gone to get a book or two he wants, and will probably be back before me. As we leave my house empty, I took the liberty of telling him I would leave the key here. Would you kindly allow me to do so?”