"Yes, I knew him, Denman," I answered gravely. "Tell me, as far as you know, his object in coming to Warnham. I'm very interested in his doings." "As far as I know, sir, he came to see somebody up at the Hall. I drove him about a good deal, over to Ockley, to Cowfold, and out to Handcross; and I took him into Horsham every day." "Do you know who was his friend at the Hall?" "No, I don't, sir. He never spoke about it; but I did have my suspicions," he answered, smiling. "Oh! what were they?" I asked. "I fancy he came to see Lucy Bryden, the housekeeper's daughter. She's a good-looking girl, you know," and the old man winked knowingly. "What made you think that, eh?" "Well, from something I was told," he replied mysteriously. "He was seen walking with a young lady across the park one night, and I 'eard as 'ow it was Mrs Bryden's daughter. But next day I 'ad a surprise. A young lady called here for him, and she was dressed exactly as the young woman who had been in the park with him was. But it wasn't Mrs Bryden's daughter." "Then who was it?" "I heard him call her Ella. She came from London." "Ella?" I gasped. "What the deuce do you mean, Denman? What sort of a girl was she? A lady?" "Yes, sir, quite a lady. She was dressed in brown, and one thing I noticed was that she had on a splendid diamond bracelet. It was a beauty." "A diamond bracelet!" I echoed. There was no doubt that Ella had actually been to Warnham without my knowledge, for the bracelet that the old ostler, in reply to my eager questions, described accurately, was the one I had given her. "What time in the day did she call? Where did they go?" I demanded, in surprise. "She came about mid-day, and they both went for a walk towards Broadbridge Heath. They were gone, I should reckon, about three hours, and when they returned, it was evident from her eyes that she'd been crying." "Crying! Had Ogle been talking to her angrily, do you think?" "No. I don't believe so. They remained here and had some tea together in the parlour, and then I drove 'em to Horsham, and they caught the 6:25 to London." I was silent. There was some remarkable, unfathomable mystery in this. "Now, Denman," I said at last, "I know you've got a sharp pair of ears when you're perched up on that box of yours. Did you overhear their conversation while driving them to Horsham?" Again the old man removed his battered hat and calmly scratched his head. "Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I did 'ear a few words," he answered. "I 'eard the young lady say as 'ow she wor powerless. He seemed to be a-begging of her to do something which horrified her. I 'eard her ask him in a whisper whether he thought they would be discovered, and he laughed at her fear, and said, `If you don't do it, you know the consequences will be fatal.'" "Do you think they went up to the Hall when they went out walking?"