They returned to the other cottage, and even in her weariness Lois looked forward to the walk across the fields, for her legs were cramped and she ached in every limb. As they mounted the last gentle slope, the long wall of Gallows Farm came into view. The gate was open and they passed through. Half-way across the yard he caught her arm and they stopped. She heard the rattle of the chained dogs and wondered if he was about to warn her again of the dangers that attended an escape. Instead: “There’s a nice little place down there,” he pointed into the darkness--“a room that has been described as airy, though it is a little below the level of the ground. I must show it to you some day--it has an interesting story.” “Are you going to put me there?” she asked, her courage almost failing her. “You? My dear, you’re the last person in the world I should put there.” Again the hateful encouragement of his caressing hand. “Go ahead, your own handsome apartment is ready for you.” He took up the lamp that was waiting in the passage and showed her to the landing. Glancing at the room opposite, she saw that a new staple had been fixed in the doorway and guessed that the other woman was now her neighbour. Tappatt followed the direction of her eyes. “You’ll have company,” he said. “The old home is filling up rapidly! All you require in any mental establishment is a start. Satisfied clients are the best advertisements!” “Where is Mr. Dorn?” she asked as he was leaving the room. “He has gone back to London with a flea in his ear. That fellow won’t bother me again in a hurry.” “Do you ever speak the truth?” For some reason the question infuriated him and his manner changed in an instant. “I’ll tell you the truth one of these days, my young lady, and it won’t be pleasant to hear!” he stormed. With that he slammed the door and turned the key on her. Chapter Thirty-two Earlier that day somebody else had asked for the truth. As a rule, Mr. Chesney Praye had little use for that quality, but, as he explained to the Countess over their protracted meal, he wanted to know “exactly where he was.” He knew a lot, more than she guessed, for he was a keen man with an instinct for hidden facts. He was also a professional opportunist, as she was to learn. “You’re going to marry me, Leonora, as soon as this business is cleared up. But before we go any further, I want all your cards on the table. And first I want to know what I have been doing. Blind obedience is all right in a soldier, but I’m not a soldier. I’ve muddied my hands pretty badly over this business and I can see myself getting five years’ imprisonment if Dorn ever gets on to my trail. But there is a lot that you haven’t told me and I’d rather like to know where I stand.”