And before Mrs. Wedmore could get breath after this audacious statement, Carrie was down the stairs and half away across the yard, where Max hastened to meet her. "I have something to say to you," she began at once with a grave face. "Do you know that--_they've come_?" "Who? Who have come?" "The police." Max started. "Nonsense! What makes you think so? I've seen no one." "I have, though. I've been expecting them, for one thing, and it's made me sharp, I suppose. But I've seen in the park, among the trees, this morning before anybody was up almost, a man walking about, taking his bearings and looking about him." "One of the gardeners," said Max. "There are several." "Oh, no, it wasn't a gardener. Can't you trust my London eyes? And listen: Presently another one came up, and they talked together. Then one went one way and the other another, not like gardeners or workingmen, but like men on the lookout." "What should they be on the lookout for?" asked Max. "If they want Dudley, why don't they come up to the house? I don't doubt that by this time they know where he is." Carrie said nothing; but there was in her eyes, as she glanced searchingly round her, a peculiar look of wistful dread which puzzled Max and made him wonder what fear it was that was in her mind. CHAPTER XXIV. MAX MAKES A STAND AND A DISCOVERY. There was a pause, and then Carrie, without answering him, turned to go back into the house. But Max followed and caught her by the arm. "Carrie," said he, "they're making a slave of you, without a word of thanks. You look worn out." "No, I'm not," said she, briskly. "I've only taken my turns; I should look all right if it hadn't been for that long, tiring journey yesterday. I haven't quite got over that yet." She was trying to free her hand, which Max was holding in his. "You'll never be strong enough for a hospital nurse, Carrie!" "Oh, yes, but I shall!" retorted she. And as she spoke, the pink color, the absence of which made her usually look so delicate, came into her cheeks. "And you must remember that I shall be better fed, better clothed then. I am not really weak at all." "I repeat--you will never be strong enough for a nurse. Better take my advice and marry me, Carrie!" But at that, a sudden impulse of hot anger gave the girl the necessary strength to snatch her hand away from him. She faced him fiercely. "What! To be looked at always as your father, your mother, look at me now? As if I were a thief who must be watched, lest she should steal something? They needn't be afraid either, if only they knew! And before I go I'll tell them. Yes, I'll tell them what a mistake they make in thinking I want to take their son, their precious son, away from them! That for their son!"