The large French window of the dining-room, opening to the ground, was flung back by Val Elster; and he stepped forth into the cool night, which was beautifully fine. The room looked towards the river. The velvet lawn, wet with the day's rain, lay calm and silent under the bright stars; the flowers, clustering around far and wide, gave out their sweet and heavy night perfume. Not an instant had he been outside when he became conscious that some figure was gliding towards him--was almost close to him; and he recognised Mr. Pike. Yes, that worthy gentleman appeared to be only then arriving on his evening visit: in point of fact, he had been glued ear and eye to the window during the quarrel. "What do you want?" demanded Mr. Elster. "Well, I came up here hoping to get a word with you, sir," replied the man in his rough, abrupt manner, more in character with his appearance and lawless reputation than with his accent and unmistakable intelligence. "There was a nasty accident a few hours ago: that shark came across his lordship." "I know he did," savagely spoke Val. "The result of your informing him that I was Lord Hartledon." "I did it for the best, Mr. Elster. He'd have nabbed you that very time, but for my putting him off the scent as I did." "Yes, yes, I am aware you did it for the best, and I suppose it turned out to be so," quickly replied Val, some of his native kindliness resuming its sway. "It's an unfortunate affair altogether, and that's the best that can be said of it." "What I came up here for was to tell you he was gone." "Who is gone?" "The shark." "Gone!" "He went off by the seven train. Lord Hartledon told him he'd communicate with his principals and see that the affair was arranged. It satisfied the man, and he went away by the next train--which happened to be the seven-o'clock one." "How do you know this?" asked Mr. Elster. "This way," was the answer. "I was hovering about outside that shed of mine, and I saw the encounter at the parson's gate--for that's where it took place. The first thing the fellow did when it was all over was to bolt across the road, and accuse me of purposely misleading him. 'Not a bit of it,' said I; 'if I did mislead you, it was unintentional, for I took the one who came over the bridge on Saturday to be Lord Hartledon, safe as eggs. But they have been down here only a week,' I went on, 'and I suppose I don't know 'em apart yet.' I can't say whether he believed me; I think he did; he's a soft sort of chap. It was all right, he said: the earl had passed his word to him that it should be made so without his arresting Mr. Elster, and he was off to London at once." "And he has gone?" Mr. Pike nodded significantly. "I watched him go; dodged him up to the station and saw him off." Then this one danger was over! Val might breathe freely again. "And I thought you would like to know the coast was clear; so I came up to tell you," concluded Pike.