"Yes. I want--perhaps you could help me. I know no one here--" "Where are you living?" "Nowhere. I only arrived here early this morning, and I have--I have no money." He was shivering from standing in the cold during this short dialogue, and seemed to shrink into himself, almost fawning, like a cowed dog. "Come in with me," said Frank, greatly astonished, but full of sympathy and of the affectionate reminiscences of his boyhood. "Come and spend the night with me." "Oh, gladly!" was the reply, eager and tremulous, as if he feared that the heaven-inspired words might be retracted. They went together a few steps further; then Frank took a key out of his pocket, the key of White-Rose Cottage. He opened the door; a hexagonal Moorish lantern was burning low, and shed a soft light in the hall. "Go in," said Frank; And he locked the door and bolted it behind them. It was half-past twelve. The maid had not yet gone to bed. "That gentleman called here a little while ago, two or three times," she murmured; with a look of suspicion at Bertie, "And I have seen him hanging about all the evening, as if he was on the watch. I was frightened, do you know; it is so lonely in these parts." Frank shook his head reassuringly. "Make the fire up as quickly as possible, Annie. Is your husband still up?" "The fire, sir?" "Yes. Bertie, will you have something to eat?" "Gladly, if it gives you no trouble," replied Bertie in English, for the benefit of the maid, and he looked with an insinuating expression to meet the surprised, cold blue eyes of the neat, brisk young woman. His voice was persuasive and low; he tried to take as little room as possible in the small hall; and to avoid her gaze, he seemed to shrink, to efface himself in a corner where the shadow fell. Frank led the way into a large back room, cold and dark when they entered, but soon lighted up, and before long genially warmed by the huge fire which blazed up in the grate. Annie laid the table. "Supper for one, sir?" "Lay for two; I will eat something," said Frank, thinking that Bertie would feel more at his ease.