Across the green meadow they raced, and Fanks saw the man fading into the dim twilight. He redoubled his sped; so did the fellow, but in the next field Fanks found that he was gaining. The fugitive sprang over another hedge; with Fanks close on his heels. But when the detective landed he could see nothing of the stranger. A backward glance showed him that the man had doubled, and was running along beside the hedge. The next instant, Fanks was following on his trail; and, although the mysterious figure made the greatest efforts to escape, Fanks drew closer. Then an accident brought the race to an end, for the man stumbled over a clod, and rolled on the grass. The next moment Fanks, panting for breath, stood over him. The detective peered down, to see who it was he had caught, and, to his surprise, he recognised Garth. CHAPTER XXVI. MRS. PRISOM'S STORY. "What the deuce are you doing here?" asked the detective, angrily, "and why did you run away when you saw me?" "As to my being here," replied Garth, sitting up and wiping his face, "I came down to watch my cousin, of whom I was suspicious; and I ran away because, on catching sight of you in the twilight, I took you for Louis Fellenger." "Oh! And for what purpose are you down here?" "I have told you. I suspect that my cousin, through his medical friend, is concerned in the murder of Sir Gregory." Fanks frowned, and Garth having got on his feet, they walked on together. He wished that Garth would leave the case to him, and resented the presence of the young lawyer on the spot. "Where are you staying?" he asked, abruptly. "At the Pretty Maid Inn. I suppose you are there also, as it is the only comfortable lodging in the village." "Yes, I am there, and, now as I have dropped across you, we may as well go back to supper. I had intended having a look at the Hall, but on second thoughts I shall go back with you to pump Mrs. Prisom." "I know Mrs. Prisom very well," said Garth; "she is an old servant of our family, but I do not see what you can learn from her." "I may learn nothing, on the other hand I may learn a great deal. She was well acquainted with the father of the late baronet." "And she was well acquainted with my mother, and with the father of the present baronet. But in what way do you expect her to help you?" "Well, I'll tell you. I want to find out if there is anything in the family history of the Fellengers likely to have induced Sir Gregory to submit to that tattooing." "I am a member of the family, and I don't know of any reason," said Garth. "Mrs. Prisom belongs to a generation before you," replied Fanks, "and it is possible that she may know something. Of course, it is only fancy on my part. Still, a drowning man clutches a straw, and I am clutching at this. We may learn something." Garth shook his head. He knew the history of his family, and there was nothing he could recall likely to touch on the subject of a tattooed cross.