Some warning voice seemed to speak to him as they entered the lane, questioning this plan of his, throwing out a vague hint of unexpected happenings. He heard Eve saying good-bye over yonder among the fir trees. She had refused to say good night. He set Lynette down under the hedge, and spoke in a whisper. “We’ll play at hide and seek. I’ll go on and see if I can find her.” “Yes. I’ll hide, and jump out when you bring her into the lane, daddy.” “That’s it.” He wondered what sort of night Eve had spent, and his eyes were instinctively towards her window as he walked up the path to the house. His ring was answered almost immediately. The little, bunchy-figured maid stood there, looking sulky and bewildered. “Is Miss Carfax in?” The girl’s eyes stared. “No, she ain’t. She’s gone to London, and ain’t coming back.” “When did she go?” “Must have been this morning before I was up. She’d ’ad ’er breakfast, and written me a letter. She’s left everything to me, and I don’t know which way to turn. There’s luggage to be packed and sent off to London, and the house to be cleaned, and the keys to be taken to Mr. Hanstead’s. I’m fair bothered, sir. I ain’t going to sleep ’ere alone, and my ’ome’s at Croydon. Maybe my young man’s mother will take me in.” “If not some of my people can.” “Miss Carfax left a letter for you, sir.” “Let me have it.” The girl went into the dining-room, and Canterton followed her. The letter was lying on the parcel that contained the Latimer and Fernhill pictures. He went to the window, broke the seal, and read Eve’s letter. The girl watched him, and he was conscious of her inquisitive eyes. But his face betrayed nothing, and he acted as though there were nothing wonderful about this sudden flight. “Miss Carfax did not tell you that she was expecting the offer of work in London?” “No, sir.” “I see. She has been sent for rather hurriedly. A very fine situation I believe. You had better follow out her orders. This parcel is for me.” He took it under his arm, went to the front door, and called Lynette. “No hide and seek this morning.” He wanted the girl to see Lynette, but he did not want Lynette to hear the news. “Isn’t she in?” Canterton met her as she came up the path. “Not at home, Princess, and Anne’s as busy as can be, and I’ve got this parcel to carry back.” “What’s in it, daddy?” “Pictures.” And he felt that he carried all the past in those pictures. Lynette wondered why he walked so fast, and why his face looked so quiet and funny. She had to bustle her slim legs to keep up with him, and he had nothing whatever to say. “What a hurry you’re in, daddy.” “I have just remembered I’ve got to go down to the village before breakfast. And, by George! here’s something I have forgotten to give to Lavender. Will you take it, old lady, while I go down to the village?” “Yes, daddy.”