“For the rest⁠ ⁠… except⁠ ⁠… Darnley⁠ ⁠… they are all⁠ ⁠… You won’t tell them, will you? They are all devils! Devils! Devils!” His voice rose in a kind of helpless fury. Then, after a moment’s pause: “But they can’t hurt T. E. Valley. None of ’em can⁠ ⁠… drunk or sober⁠ ⁠… and that’s because I’m God’s Priest in this place.⁠ ⁠… God’s Priest, Sir! However you like to take it!”

This final outburst seemed to restore the shadowy little man to his senses; for until Wolf brought him to the gate of the Vicarage and bade him farewell there, his words became steadily more coherent⁠—his intonation more normal and more sober.

The door of Pond Cottage was opened for Wolf by Dimity Stone.

“I’ve kept dinner back till it’s as good as ruined,” grumbled the old woman.

“Where are⁠—” Wolf began.

“In there⁠ ⁠… waiting!” she answered, as she moved off.