"This is the pattern you asked me for, Clementina," Jane said, rising to depart on her return home. For she would not risk passing the Inlets after sunset. * * * * * A week or two went by, and the time of Valentine Chandler's departure arrived. He had grown well and strong apparently, and went about to say Good-bye to people in a subdued fashion. The Squire took him apart when Val came for that purpose to us, and talked to him in private. Tod called it a "Curtain Lecture." Valentine was to leave Crabb at daybreak on the Saturday morning for London, and go at once on board the ship lying in the docks about to steam away for Quebec. It perhaps surprised none of us who knew the Chandler girls that they should be seen tearing over the parish on the Friday afternoon to invite people to tea. "It will be miserably dull this last evening, you know, Johnny," they said to me in their flying visit; "we couldn't stand it alone. Be sure to come in early: and leave word that Joseph Todhetley is to join us as soon as he gets back again." For Tod had gone out. According to orders, I was at North Villa betimes: and, just as on that other afternoon, I met Jane Preen at the gate. She had walked in from Duck Brook. "You are going to spend the evening here, Jane?" "Yes, it is the last evening," she sighed. "Valentine wished it." "The girls have been to invite me; wouldn't let me say No. There's to be quite a party." "A party!" exclaimed Jane, in surprise. "If they could manage to get one up." "I am sure Valentine did not know that this morning." "I daresay not. I asked the girls if Valentine wanted a crowd there on his last evening, and they exclaimed that Valentine never knew what was good for him." "As you are here, Johnny," she went on, after a silence, "I wonder if you would mind my asking you to do me a favour? It is to walk home with me after tea. I shall not be late this evening." "Of course I will, Jane." "I _cannot_ go past the Inlets alone after dark," she whispered. "I never do so by daylight but a dreadful shiver seizes me. I--I'm afraid of seeing something." "Have you ever seen it since that first evening, Jane?" "Never since. Never once. I do not suppose that I shall ever see it again; but the fear lies upon me." She went on to explain that the gig could not be sent for her that evening, as Mr. Preen had gone to Alcester in it and taken Sam. Her mode and voice seemed strangely subdued, as if all spirit had left her for ever. In spite of their efforts, the Miss Chandlers met with little luck. One of the Letsom girls and Tom Coney were all the recruits they were able to pick up. They came dashing in close upon our heels. In the hall stood Valentine's luggage locked and corded, ready for conveyance to the station.