"A short cut," he said, with a nod and a smile; and five minutes later he pointed, smiling, to a figure standing by one of the high masses of grit. "Expected, you see," he said. "Did she know I was coming back?" thought Clive; and, quick as light, thought after thought of his last visit came to him, with the adventure in the night, and his unworthy suspicions about the summons at the window, thoroughly cleared up now by the Major's words. Two minutes later he was shaking hands, and noting that the object of his thoughts was not so pale. The scared, painful look was gone, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks as she endorsed her father's words that they were glad to see their guest. "But Mr Reed will not stay the night, my dear, and--What?" "There is a gentleman here," said Dinah, rather hurriedly. "A gentleman to see me?" "No, a stranger. He was crossing the mountain. He has walked from Matlock, and he came up and asked if he might rest and have some refreshment." The Major laughed. "Come," he cried, "you are opening up the country, Mr Reed. A visitor to you, I should say. Well, he has had a long walk. You let Martha take in tea, I suppose." "Yes, dear. Here he is," whispered Dinah, as the visitor came slowly out of the porch, lighting a cigar, and looking round as though in search of something. The something of which he was in search was within a dozen yards, but not alone, and Clive gave a violent start, for the visitor was slowly approaching him, and now held out his hand. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. SOME ONE IN EDEN. "Jessop!" cried Clive, in a voice full of astonishment and anger. "Yes, old fellow, Jessop. How are you? Quite a coincidence; Miss--Miss Gurdon, I think?" said the visitor, turning to Dinah. "I called here by accident on my way to find my brother, and he comes to me. Clive, old fellow, will you introduce me to this gentleman?" "Major Gurdon--my brother," said Clive coldly. "Gurdon? Then you are papa," cried Jessop boisterously. "Yes, sir, I am papa," said the Major coldly. "Then I have to thank you, sir, as well as this young lady, for your kindly hospitality to a tired traveller. I had no idea that it was so far across from Matlock to the mine, or I would not have attempted to walk." "Mr Clive Reed's brother is quite welcome to any hospitality I can afford him," said the Major, rather stiffly. "Pray make this your home during your stay." Clive winced, and noticed as he changed his position that Dinah's eyes were fixed upon him. "Oh, thank you. It is very good of you," cried Jessop. "You see my brother is so much down here, that one can't get a glimpse of him in town; so having a little business matter to settle with him, and wanting a bit of change, I thought I would run down for a day or two."