"She did not go off with Harry Dasent I found out that." Leigh remained silent. "Ara now look here. I've gone over it all scores of times, trying to think out where she can be, and that there's some relation or friend she bolted off to so as to get away from us, but I can't fix it on anyone, and go where I will, from our cousins the Morrisons down to old Garstang--who's got the guv'nor under has thumb, and could sell us up to-morrow if he liked--I can't get at it. But the scent seems to be most toward old Garstang, and I mean to try back there. The guv'nor said it was his doing, to help Harry Dasent, but that's all wrong. Those two hate one another like poison, and I can't make out any reason which would set Garstang to work to get her away. He'd do it like a shot to get her money, but he can't touch that, for I've read the will again. Nobody but her husband can get hold of that bit of booty, and I wish you may get it. I do, 'pon my soul. Still, I'm growing to think more and more that foxy Garstang's the man." They had been walking steadily along side by side while this conversation was going on, and at last, fully convinced that Claud would not be shaken off, and even if he were would still watch him, Leigh walked straight on to his new home, and stopped short at a door whereon was a new brass plate, while the customary red bull's-eyes were in the lamp like danger signals to avert death and disease--the accidents of life's great railway. "Now, Mr Wilton," he said, shortly, "you have achieved your purpose and tracked me home." "And no thanks to you," said Claud, with one of his broad grins. "Won't ask me in, I suppose?" "No, sir, I shall not." "All right I didn't expect you would. Of course I should have found you out some time from the directories." "My name is not in them, sir." "Oh, but it soon would be, Doctor. I say, shall you tell her you have seen me?" "For cool impudence, Mr Claud Wilton," said Leigh, by way of answer, "I have never seen your equal." "'Tisn't impudence, Doctor," said Claud, earnestly; "it's pluck and bull-dog. I haven't been much account, and I don't come up to what you think a fellow should be." "You certainly do not," said Leigh, unable to repress a smile. "I know that, but I've got some stuff in me, after all, and when I take hold I don't let go." He gave Leigh a quick nod, and thrusting his hands into his pockets, walked right on, without looking back, Leigh watching him till he turned a corner, before taking out a latch-key and letting himself into the house. "The devil does not seem so black as he is painted, after all," he said, as he wiped his feet, and at the sound Jenny, quite without crutches, came hurrying down the stairs. "Oh, Pierce, dear, have you been to those people in Bedford Street? They've been again twice, and I told them you'd gone." "Ugh!" ejaculated Leigh. "What a head I have! Someone met me on the way, and diverted my thoughts. I'll go at once."