"Thank goodness we are out of that without any trouble," said Dobson; and Elgert inquired, contemptuously, what danger he feared would come to them in the grounds. "Dogs," retorted Dobson tersely. "We weren't to know that there were no dogs loose. I thought that I heard a rustling in the bushes once, as though one was pushing his way towards us, and it made me turn cold. Well, now we are here, what next?" "The police, at once. How dark it is getting, and was not that thunder?" "Yes, I reckon they are getting a smart storm not far from here. The police-station, is it?" "Of course. The man is here, we do not know how long he may remain, so we cannot waste time; and I am not going to let the possibility of getting caught in a shower prevent me from having my revenge on Rexworth, and making things unpleasant for these stuck-up St. Clives. I hate them! St. Clive himself, because he backs this Rexworth up; his wife, because she is so very goody-goody; and the girl, because she is a proud little minx, who turns up her nose at me, and----" "Ha, ha!" laughed Dobson. "Jealous because Rexworth cut you out, that is it! Well, I don't mind. Come on, if you are coming. The police will be pleased enough to know; and if there is a reward, we may as well have it." "You can take it, if you like," retorted Elgert. "I don't want their money. All I want is to see the man taken again, and taken there to prove that the St. Clives are in it." They turned and hurried off; and then, very cautiously, from amidst the laurels, there arose a little scared and indignant face--a face surrounded by golden hair. Irene St. Clive had seen them and heard all that they had said! She had seen them go into the shrubbery, and had wondered what tricks they were about to play. Her first idea was that it was something to do with Ralph, something to vex him; for she knew both the boys, and was aware that they were his enemies. So she had followed them, that she might see, and then warn Ralph. And then it had flashed upon her! Mrs. Charlton was there with her husband; and the boys were spying upon her. Oh, what mean, miserable boys to call themselves gentlemen, and do such things! She heard what they said when they stood in the roadway, and then she turned and raced indoors to tell her father; even in her dismay, she was thoughtful enough not to go to her mother first, lest she should be needlessly alarmed. Her father would know best what was to be done. And her tidings filled Mr. St. Clive with concern. Where could poor Mr. Charlton go? Where else was there for him to hide? He reproached himself now that he had not sent him away sooner. But Mr. Charlton had seemed to derive such comfort from being able to see his son and wife frequently, that Mr. St. Clive had allowed things to go on as they were, and now it might be too late!