"Oh," said Fanks, dryly, "you think he is guilty, so I will leave him to you. But do not neglect my interests to look after that business. I tell you, Crate, the man is innocent." "I have my own opinion about that." "Then keep to your opinion, but mind my instructions." "Well, I will tell you one thing, sir," said Crate. "Mr. Garth has left town." "You don't say so," said Fanks, frowning, "he did not say that he was going away. Where has he gone to?" "I can't tell you that, sir, I lost him. But I'll tell you where he hasn't gone--and that is to Taxton-on-Thames." "I didn't expect he would go there, but it does not matter. I have my hands full without thinking of Garth. I leave him to you. In the meantime, goodbye; I am off to Hampshire." Fanks arrived at Damington about five o'clock, and put up at The Pretty Maid Inn as he had done before when following Binjoy in the disguise of a parson. But thanks to his cleverness in "making up," no one at the inn suspected that he was the same man. The landlady--a genial soul with a plump person and a kindly face, quite an ideal landlady of the Dickens type--welcomed him without suspicion, as a gentleman come down for the fishing, and detailed all the gossip of the neighbourhood. She was especially conversant with the affairs of Sir Louis Fellenger. "Such a nice gentleman," said Mrs. Prisom, "rather melancholy and given to hard study, which ain't good for a young man. But he comes here and takes a glass with a kind word and a smile always." "Does Dr. Binjoy come over with him?" said Fanks. "Oh yes, sir; I am sorry to see that the doctor ain't well lately, he looks pale and mopey-like. Seems as if he had something on his mind." "And what do you think he has on his mind, Mrs. Prisom?" "Well, it ain't for me to say, sir; but I should think as he was sorry he and Sir Louis did not get on so well as they might." "What makes you think they do not get on well?" said Fanks, pricking up his ears. "It is the way they look at one another," said Mrs. Prisom, reflectively. "And they say Dr. Binjoy is going away; though what Sir Louis will do without him, I don't know." "Dr. Binjoy going away," murmured Fanks, rather startled, "now what is that for?" Mrs. Prisom could not tell him; she could only say that the doctor was departing from Mere Hall that day week; and that it was reported in the village that he had quarrelled seriously with Sir Louis. "Though of course," added Mrs. Prisom, "it may not be true." "I must see to this," thought Fanks. "I wonder if this sudden departure has anything to do with the murder. Is it a case of thieves falling out; I must keep my eyes open." After which resolution, he asked the landlady if she was well acquainted with the Fellenger family. "I should think so," said Mrs. Prisom, with pride, "I knew that poor, young man who was murdered in that wicked London, as well as I know myself. A noble gentleman, but wild; ah me!" sighed Mrs. Prisom, "just like his father."