She had made no change of dress for her baby; but she now removed the flowers from a black hat and went to the house where the mourners were assembled, passing through the crowd at the door, and entering the room where the mother was sitting in her garments of heavy crêpe with the other members of the family about her. A look of astonishment came into the woman’s eyes as she held her handkerchief away for a moment; but there was no animosity there, and when Nancy stooped and kissed her forehead she said— “Eh, lass, but my heart aches for ye!” “And mine for you!” returned Nancy. “If I could change places with Polly, I would!” She looked at nobody else; but in the little passage outside the room Hannah put her arm on her shoulder. “You shall go home with me when they leave,” she said; and careless of her husband’s disapproval she went. It was then that she heard for the first time the full story of her husband’s crimes and suspected crimes. It was then that she learned how Jagger had punished Inman when he found him with Polly on the night Nancy’s baby was born. Hannah’s anger was burning fiercely and Nancy’s wrongs added fresh fuel to the flames. No sense of delicacy led her to hide anything from her friend; and when Nancy went home she understood why her husband hated her, and she became conscious of a change of spirit; of a strange exhilaration that left life no longer colourless or purposeless. From that moment her wits began to work with a cautious intelligence that would have surprised her husband, and the Drakes had a very alert agent within the enemy’s camp. One afternoon of the same week she climbed the Cove road with the deliberate intention to intercept Jagger on his homeward journey, though a visit to Far Tarn farm was the avowed object of the journey. Her departure was well timed, and they met at the junction of the roads where their paths would diverge. Though both hearts were beating more quickly than usual there was nothing lover-like in their greeting, and Nancy speedily made known her business. “I came on purpose to meet you, Jagger,” she said, “and there’s no time to be lost, because though there isn’t a soul to be seen there’s never no telling who’ll come along—and carry tales.” Jagger nodded. “I’d say, let ’em come, if it was only me; but you’re right, Nancy. There’s no sense in making trouble.” “It’s a plan I’ve got in my head,” she said. “Hannah’s told me all about James, and the low tricks he’s always playing on you; and how sometimes you stay up most o’ t’ night to try to catch him at it. You won’t manage it, Jagger! He’s too fly for you! He’s hobbled just now, of course; but he’s mending fast—he was in the shop all the morning—and he’ll soon be about again. I want you to lie low and leave me to do the watching!” Her eyes were bright; but there was no other sign of excitement, and the lips closed resolutely. Jagger, however, shook his head.