Harry stood for a moment thinking, and half confused, at times, too, doubting the wisdom of taking such a companion; then, evidently having formed his plans, he said hurriedly, "Come then!" and in a few minutes they had secured a cab, and were rattling over London Bridge. A train due in five minutes, but it seemed to them five hours before it came. Off at last, though; and very soon after leaving the station their footsteps were crunching over the gravel sweep that led to the front door of Richard Pellet's place, when, as soon almost as they reached the porch, the door flew open, and a burst of warm light greeted them, their approach having been heralded by a bell from the lodge. "Mr Pellet in?" said Harry to one of the gentlemen in drab and coach-lace. "Not been gone out ten minutes, sir." "Do you know where to?" said Harry. The gentleman in coach-lace looked at his fellow, and then back at Harry, to answer-- "Station, sir; carriage not come back yet. Came 'ome and had early dinner, and ordered carriage at five." "No idea where he is gone?" said Harry, anxiously. The gentleman in coach-lace looked at his fellow once again, before answering, while Ellen whispered to Harry, as she tightly clutched his arm, "Ask him again--again," but there was no need. "Paris, I think, sir," said the man. "I shouldn't tell any one, sir; but it can't be wrong to tell you. Glad to see you here again, sir. Like dinner d'reckly?" "No, no," said Harry, hesitating. "Did you notice anything particular?--but what makes you say Paris?" "Because he told me to look what times trains run from London Bridge to Newhaven, sir; and what time the Dieppe boat started. His hand shook so, sir, he couldn't find out for himself." "Was he ill? Did you see anything particular in him?" said Harry, anxiously. "Didn't seem himself at all, sir; and did nothing hardly at dinner but drink wine, sir." "There, there!" whispered Mrs Richard, "I told you so; he is wild, and you must stop him, or he will--" Harry shuddered, and turned away to snatch his portmonnaie from his pocket and count its contents. "You had better stay here," he said. "No, no! I must go with you. I want--I want to be with you. If anything were to happen--if he committed any rash act, I should feel that his blood was upon my head. Come!" she said, eagerly, and with a strange look in her eyes. "Come! there is no time to lose. I want--I want to be on the way."