"She's a very pretty lass indeed," he said to himself. "Quite innocent, sees no harm in anything, not even me. I'll beard her father in his cottage; it won't take me long to find out his weaknesses, I'm used to it. I'm glad I spoke to her; she'll help to kill time in this infernal slow hole. I shall be glad when things get a move on. By Jove, if the folks round here ever find out what I am when the business begins in earnest, there'll be ructions. I shall have to clear out quick. There's a lot of risk in what I'm doing but the pay's good and it will be a lot better later on. What fools they are in England! Can't see danger, never suspect anybody." Jane spoke to her father about meeting Carl Meason. He did not consider it anything out of the way for his daughter to walk to the village with him; he knew she was often asked questions about the neighborhood by strangers; sometimes he showed them round when they made it worth his while; he was always eager to add a few pounds to his store. He had every confidence in Jane; she was self-reliant, not a "silly wench" whose head was likely to be turned by compliments. "What sort of man is he?" he asked. "Abel don't seem to think much of him anyhow." "You'll like his company; he talks well, and knows a lot. Abel's not accustomed to a man like this," said Jane. "It puzzles me what he is doing at a place like Little Trent," said her father. "He told me he came across the Sherwood Inn when he was motoring and thought it just the place for him to work quietly in," she said. "A surveyor, Abel says; not much he don't find out," said Tom. "There's company at The Forest," said Jane. "A beautiful lady, almost a match for Miss Berkeley." "Never a match for her, there couldn't be; she's the most beautiful woman of her time, and also a good 'un; I often think Mr. Chesney is a fool not to marry her," said Tom. "Perhaps she'll not have him, Father; he may have asked her," answered Jane. "I saw him to-day," said Tom. "Mr. Chesney?" "Yes; he gave me a present, and there's one for you, Jane. Here it is; he never forgets folks when he has a win," said Tom, handing her a small parcel. Jane opened it eagerly, then gave a gasp and an exclamation of delighted surprise. "Isn't it beautiful, Father! How good of him!" And she showed him a small horseshoe brooch set with rubies; it was an exquisite piece of jewelry. "Must have cost a tidy bit," said Tom, as he handled it tenderly. CHAPTER VIII FRASER'S INFORMATION