"Yes," said Jack, then he looked up. "I suppose I shan't be able to show up, because of Moss, Len?" "Oh, he won't know you are here! And we'll cut it. We'll go down to the country somewhere, Jack, before anyone sees you. You haven't met anyone, have you?" "Met them, no. But I have seen Stephen." "Stephen Davenant?" "Yes, I saw him, but I don't think he saw me. He is looking well." Leonard nodded. "He did not see you--but it wouldn't have mattered." "No," said Jack, with a sigh. "Len, this is the first 'square meal,' as they say over the sea, that I've enjoyed since I left. I'm very tired." "I can see that," said Leonard. "Go off to bed, old man. We'll have no more questions tonight." Jack rose and took his candle. "Yes, one more," he said, as he held Leonard's hand, tightly. "Is--is she well, Len?" Leonard nodded. "Yes, I think so----" "That's all," said Jack, resolutely. "Good-night, Len, good-night," and he turned away quickly. Leonard stole into Jack's room several times that night and looked down upon the tired, weary face, still handsome for all its lines and haggardness, handsomer some might have thought, for suffering sets a seal of dignity upon a man's face if there be sterling stuff in him. Leonard looked down at it pityingly. "Poor old man; he has had a hard time of it if any man has." Jack turned up at breakfast time looking much refreshed. "First good night's rest I've had since--oh, too long to remember, Len. Dreamed that all that has happened was only a dream, and that I was waking up and going to see----" he broke off suddenly and sighed. Leonard was delighted to see him so much better. "We'll leave town directly, Jack," he said. "I've just done my usual batch of work, and am free. We'll spend our Christmas at some old inn----" Jack looked at him gratefully. "You're a staunch old man, Len," he said, quietly. "You'd sacrifice your sweetheart to your friend." Len colored. "I'm sure she'd be the first to urge us to go," he said. "Laura is so unselfish." "She shan't be sacrificed for me," said Jack. "No, Len, I'll go off by myself, before anyone knows I'm back--hallo! what's that?" It was a footstep on the stairs, Len motioned for Jack to retreat into the bedroom, and only just in time, for, barely stopping to knock, Mr. Levy Moss opened the door. CHAPTER XXXVI. "Good-morning, Mr. Dagle," said Moss, his eyes roaming about the room. "Here I am again, you see, Mr. Dagle; and where is Mr. Newcombe? He's here, I know." "If you know so much you've no need to ask," said Leonard. "Who told you he was here?" Levy Moss winked one bleared eye cunningly. "I'm smart, Mr. Dagle; I keep my eyes open and my feet a-moving." "Just so," said Leonard, "and if you'll be good enough to move them out of my room I shall be obliged. Please observe that these are _my_ rooms, Mr. Moss, and not Mr. Newcombe's, and that I am not desirous of further visits from you."