And the overgrown girl, who was snubbed at home, had tears in her eyes at the remembrance of the kind touch which she had felt on the day of her accident. Mrs. Dale was too much moved to say much more, but it was agreed between the ladies that the suggestion should be formally made by the tenant of “The Towers” to the heads of the household at “Stone House” without delay, that Mabin should stay with her new friend during the absence abroad of the rest of the Rose family. Mabin did notice, while they talked, that Rudolph remained not only silent but somewhat constrained; but it was not until she took her leave of Mrs. Dale, and he followed her out, that the young girl attached any importance to his reserve. Once out of hearing of Mrs. Dale, who stood on the stone steps to bid them good-by, Rudolph asked her abruptly: “Do you think they’ll let you come?” “Oh, yes, they’ll only be too glad to get rid of me. Why do you ask in that tone?” “Well, there is something I think I ought to tell you, if you are thinking of staying with Mrs. Dale.” “Well, what is it?” “It is that she is being watched.” “Watched!” “Yes, by a stranger, a man whom I have never seen in the place before. He hovers about this place, keeping out of range of possible eyes in the house, at all hours of the day and even of the night.” “But how do you know this?” The words slipped out of her mouth, and it was not until she saw Rudolph redden that she saw that she was too inquisitive. “I am sure of what I say, anyhow,” said he quietly. Mabin looked thoughtful. “I don’t care!” she said at last. “I thought you wouldn’t.” “And I shan’t tell anybody anything about it.” “I was sure you wouldn’t.” “But I shall tell Mrs. Dale.” Rudolph stopped and looked at her. “I think you had better not do that,” he said. “But why should a person watch her, except with the intention of trying to do her some harm?” “Well, I don’t know. But I think if you do tell her, knowing how highly nervous she is, you will do her more harm than ever the mysterious watcher would. Perhaps you would even drive her out of the place, in which case most assuredly the watcher would go after her, while if we keep her here perhaps we may manage to draw his fangs.” Mabin felt frightened. Then, being a matter-of-fact girl, she got the better of this feeling quickly, and looked up keenly at her companion. “What do you exactly mean by that?” she asked. “Only that I will get hold of the man quietly and find out what his little game is. Though I can guess.” “Well, you can tell me what your guess is?” “Why, debt, of course. One can see she is inclined to be extravagant, and very likely she has run up bills somewhere. Don’t you think that seems likely?” His tone was rather anxious, Mabin thought. But she answered indignantly: “No, I don’t. It would be very dishonorable to run away without paying one’s debts, and I don’t think you much of a friend to poor Mrs. Dale to suggest such a thing!”