Birnie made his inquiries in his own way, and then all he had to tell Gurth was that Gertie had ‘run away,’ and that the old man had shut up the Little Queer Street establishment, and had not been seen for some little time in the neighbourhood. This information brought Gurth no nearer to an introduction to Miss Adrian, so he had to set his wits to work again. But before he could think of a plan, chance did away with the necessity. Marston, who now studiously cultivated his acquaintance, was walking with him one day, when a big dog came round the corner. Marston looked hard at it, and exclaimed, ‘Hullo! Ruth isn’t far off; here’s Gertie Heckett’s dog.’ Gurth clutched his arm. ‘Ruth—Gertie Heckett!’ he cried. ‘Good gracious me, how could I have been so stupid? Why, of course you can tell me all about it. How comes the child away from Josh?’ Marston looked under his eyes at his companion. ‘How should I know anything about Josh Heckett’s domestic; affairs?’ he said coldly. ‘Why you see him, I suppose, now and then?’ ‘My dear fellow, I thought you knew that I had cut all that crew long ago. I know no more of him than you do.’ ‘Well, at any rate you know Gertie Heckett, for you mentioned her name.’ ‘Of course I know her,’ answered Marston, speaking slowly and deliberately, ‘but only through her protectress, Miss Adrian. Gertie has been “rescued”—I believe that is the correct expression—and the Adrians have adopted her. The Adrians are old friends of mine.’ Gurth said ‘Oh,’ and was silent. He couldn’t understand that beautiful creature being an old friend of dare-devil Ned Marston. Lion had come on well ahead, and it was fully two minutes before Gertie and Ruth came out of a shop and found themselves face to face with Marston and Gurth. Ruth coloured slightly as the two gentlemen lifted their hats, and Gertie, recognizing Gurth, exclaimed, ‘Oh, it’s the gentleman that bought the violets.’ Gertie did not seem at all astonished when Marston held out his hand to Ruth. It was evident that this was not the first meeting between the old sweethearts at which she had assisted. ‘Will you allow me to introduce my old friend, Mr. Gurth Egerton?’ said Marston. Gurth bowed again, and Ruth honoured him with a sweet smile. And presently the three were strolling along the street talking together, Gertie walking on a little way ahead with Lion. But Ruth cut short the interview by saying that Gertie and she had some calls to make, and Marston, taking the hint, said ‘Good-day,’ and, taking Gurth’s arm, left the ladies to finish their business by themselves. ‘What do you think of her?’ asked Marston, when they were out of ear-shot. ‘Think of her?’ said Gurth; ‘why, that she’s one of the most charming women I ever met in my life. I was awfully struck with her at the bazaar the other day.’ ‘Yes, my boy,’ answered Marston; ‘and she’s as good as she is beautiful.’ ‘You know her very well, then?’