"She apologized for that," he told me. "Not that I wanted her to--a great deal of what she said, from her point of view, was quite true.... But she did apologize, anyway. And then, of course, we had the job of house-hunting." I asked him if he had had any idea that she was coming, and he answered: "Not the slightest. I was reading in the garden when she suddenly came in by the side gate. She was looking for Taplow--to ask him about the houses, I suppose." "But she knew you were staying at the hotel." "Oh, yes, but it wasn't me she came to see. But for Taplow being out, and her looking for him, we might never have met." "Did she suggest that you should show her round the district?" He said: "I think we both suggested it together. She said she didn't mind walking, and so naturally...." After a pause he went on: "I tell you candidly--I didn't think either of us could do it.... Do you remember the other day we were talking about her and I told you she was different? Well, she _is_ different, in one way, but in another way she's just the same--just the same as if--as if nothing had ever happened.... Do you know what I mean?" I knew what he meant. Then he talked enthusiastically about the time when she and Severn would live idyllically on the slopes of one of those Surrey hills. He, of course, might be working hundreds--perhaps thousands of miles away, but it would be pleasant to think of the two of them in such delightful surroundings. They were lucky to have plenty of money; they could build just where they liked and how they liked. And we--he and I--would perhaps visit them from time to time. What could I say to him? Could I tell him the fear that was in my mind? Could I warn him that the danger that had existed eight years before was still a danger? ... Not then.... Not, at any rate, till the danger was more evident, till I had proof as well as surmising. I said merely: "Well, I hope you showed her some good places. She ought to be able to find something or other if money isn't much of a consideration." And he answered smiling: "Oh, yes, we shall find something. She's coming again next week...." IV He was so frank about it. And so was Helen. The house business (despite my first uneasy fear to the contrary) proved to be absolutely genuine. June, it was true, hadn't known about it, but Severn had, for it was he who had actually suggested the Hindhead district. So there was nothing intrinsically curious in her visits of exploration.