He could not answer this question without further information, and only Frank could give details. But Frank was gone also, and Jarman wondered whither the poor persecuted young fellow had fled. He did not dare to make inquiries, lest he should attract the attention of the police. The only thing to be done was to remain passive until such time as Frank chose to write from his new place of concealment. Then he might see him and learn details about the inexplicable flight of his housekeeper. Meantime, it would be just as well to see Mildred and learn if his surmise about the photograph was true. After a hurried meal, Jarman walked to Rose Cottage. The maid who answered the door was a fat, red-faced creature, and was the only domestic employed by the two ladies. She stated that Miss Starth was lying down with a bad headache--had retired early to bed, in fact--but that Mrs. Perth was still in the parlour. Jarman would have walked in, but Mrs. Perth herself appeared, and seemed indisposed to admit him. Jarman put down this unwillingness to her prim manners, as nine o'clock at night was certainly not the time to pay a visit to two single ladies. But on seeing her face in the moonlight, he noticed that she looked disturbed. However, she appeared friendly enough--why should she not be?--although declining to let him in. When the maid retired he had a few minutes' conversation with her on the doorstep. "No," said Mrs. Perth in her decisive tones, "I have not seen Mr. O'Neil lately. He called once after your departure, Mr. Jarman, but since then has not favoured us with a visit." "Do you know that he has gone away?" asked Eustace. "Gone away?" replied Mrs. Perth. "What do you mean?" "What I say," said Jarman, rather chafed. "He has gone away, and I thought that you might know where he is?" Mrs. Perth drew herself up in a prim manner. "Why should I know, Mr. Jarman?" she said stiffly. "Your friend's movements have no interest for me. It seems to me that you should know best where he is. I presume he gave you notice, being your secretary?" "He left a letter saying he was going. I never expected him to leave so suddenly." "There appears to be a mystery about him." "Oh, not at all," rejoined the big man, quickly, "but he is an odd fellow, and doubtless left in a freakish way. I only came to ask, as I thought he might have called before going." "He called only the once, when Mr. Darrel was here. He and Mr. Darrel went away together." "Have you seen Mr. Darrel since?" "Oh dear me, yes. He is stopping with Mr. Arrow." "Does he know that my friend has left?" "I really do not know," replied Mrs. Perth, with a fatigued air. "He made no remark." "Ah! thank you. I shall not keep you any longer. I suppose," added Eustace, with some hesitation. "I suppose it is impossible for me to see Miss Starth?" "Certainly it is impossible. She has retired to bed. You can call to-morrow. Good evening."