And so, there it is: they are gone, and I am left here all alone. I wonder whether any Mr. Dangerfield has been at Sainteville? I think we should have heard the name. Why, that is the door-bell! I must go and answer it. It was Charley Palliser. He had come with a message from Major and Mrs. Smith. They are going to Drecques to-morrow morning by the eleven-o'clock train with a few friends and a basket of provisions, and had sent Charley to say they would be glad of my company. "Do come, Miss Preen," urged Charley as I hesitated; "you are all alone now, and I'm sure it must be dreadfully dull." "How do you know I am alone?" I asked. "Because," said Charley, "I have been watching the London boat out, and I saw Captain Fennel and your sister go by it. Major and Mrs. Smith were with me. It is a lovely night." "Wait a moment," I said, as Charley was about to depart when I had accepted the invitation. "Do you know whether an Englishman named Dangerfield is living here?" "Don't think there is; I have not met with him," said Charley. "Why, Miss Preen?" "Oh, only that I was asked to-day whether I knew any one of that name," I returned carelessly. "Good-night, Mr. Charles. Thank you for coming." They have invited me, finding I was left alone, and I think it very kind of them. But the Smiths are both kind-hearted people. _September 23rd._--Half-past nine o'clock, p.m. Have just returned from Drecques by the last train after spending a pleasant day. Quiet, of course, for there is not much to do at Drecques except stroll over the ruins of the old castle, or saunter about the quaint little ancient town, and go into the grand old church. It was so fine and warm that we had dinner on the grass, the people at the cottage bringing our plates and knives and forks. Later in the day we took tea indoors. In the afternoon, when all the rest were scattered about and the major sat smoking his cigar on the bench under the trees, I sat down by him to tell him what happened yesterday, and I begged him to give me his opinion. It was no betrayal of confidence, for Major Smith is better acquainted with the shady side of the Fennels than I am. "I heard there was an English lawyer staying at the Hôtel des Princes, and that he had come here from Douai," observed the major. "His name's Lockett. It must have been he who spoke to you on the pier." "Yes, of course. Do you know, major, whether any one has stayed at Sainteville passing as Mr. Dangerfield?" "I don't think so," replied the major. "Unless he has kept himself remarkably quiet." "Could it apply to Captain Fennel?"