She had to carry on the fight alone. There was no one, neither relation nor intimate friend, to whom she might turn for counsel or sympathy. And beyond it all lay the shadow of the gaol. If there had only been something she could do, some active step that she might take, it would have been easier. She thought of flight. That would, however, be taken as an admission of guilt. Besides, she had little money, and her commonsense told her that Labar had probably foreseen and guarded against that very contingency. Any attempt of that kind might very well be the signal for her arrest. It was with her thoughts thus occupied that she did not observe Larry Hughes until he was within a couple of paces. He raised his hat and dropped into step by her side. "Miss Noelson. The very person I was hoping to see. May I have a word with you?" She turned an embarrassed face to him. "You! The police----" She struggled for words. "Please don't fear for me," he said smilingly. "I am in no imminent danger of arrest. That is what you are afraid of, I guess. I gather that you have just left my humorous young friend, Detective Inspector Labar. No doubt he spent a pleasant quarter of an hour blackening my character. An ambitious young man is Mr. Labar. He believes that I am some sort of a gilt-edged criminal, and that you are my accomplice. Funny, isn't it?" The airy jocularity of his tone did not deceive her. Her intuition told her more than he meant to betray. "What do you want?" she demanded. "If things are as you say, then for us to be seen together will look even more suspicious." "You are being shadowed," he said. "There is a gentleman loitering a little aimlessly down the road, who I judge is interested in you. I have had a couple of detectives behind me whenever I have taken a walk. Fortunately, motor cars are a little difficult for eavesdroppers. I have mine at hand. A ride for ten minutes will allow me to make many things clear. Will you come?" She shook her head with decision. Whatever lay behind all this, it was likely that it could bring her nothing but harm, in view of the suspicions that already focussed upon her and Hughes. "There is no need to make things clear to me," she said. "If you know anything about this crime, Mr. Hughes, you should go to the police." He gripped her by the arm, and she felt his fingers tighten. "You are not afraid?" he demanded. "This is absurd, I must see you." The shadower was standing some distance away, surveying with apparently idle interest a couple of men engaged on road repairs. But Larry guessed that in a few moments he would saunter down towards them. There was no time to take chances. His grip tightened roughly and he almost shook her. "Let me go," she cried. "You're hurting my arm." "Then you'll come?" "No." "You obstinate little fool," he snarled, and she found his arms encircling her, as she was lifted from the ground.