Again she looked at the prostrate man, and now saw that his eyes were on her. There was in them a flicker of intelligence. She thought, but could not be sure, that he knew her and was aware what she was about, but his mouth did not move. He made no attempt to speak. There was no token of resentment in the eyes, and the features were drawn, distorted, but expressionless. When the cabinet was shut, and the secret secure, then Jane endeavoured to lift the captain and remove him to the adjoining bedroom, which she had occupied, and to lay him on the bed. But his weight was too considerable and too dead for her to be able to effect her purpose, and after several unsuccessful attempts she abandoned them. It would, she realised, be necessary for her to leave the cottage and summon assistance. She stood over him for a few minutes considering. Then she noticed that the little bag he had begun to thrust into his pocket had fallen out and was on the floor. She stooped, picked it up, and, assured that it contained coin, unloosed the string that bound it and filled her palm with guineas. Then hastily, with a sense of fear, she poured them back into the bag, and kneeling by the prostrate man thrust it into his breast pocket. Having done this she drew a long breath, as freed from some weight that had come across her heart; she unbarred the front door and opened it. As she did this a cool breeze puffed in, and the rising sun sent a stream of gold over the floor and the figure that lay motionless upon it. Jane looked back, holding the latch in her hand, musing. Then she stepped to the side of the prostrate figure and said, 'Job! Captain Job! your secret is now mine.' Thereupon she turned to leave the house and run towards Bindon to summon aid. CHAPTER XVII J. H. At the same moment, as Jane was on the threshold and about to shut the door behind her, Winefred appeared, but Winefred so covered with soil, so be-chalked, as to be hardly recognisable. Yet Jane knew her at once. In the conflict of emotion in her heart the shock was too great. She reeled and caught the doorposts, and stood speechless, her mouth open――staring. 'Mother! have you missed me?' Jane was unable to answer. She gasped for breath. Behind Winefred was a young man. 'Mother, have you been frightened?' Then, still speechless, Mrs. Marley pointed to the figure on the floor. Instantly, with an exclamation, the young man dashed past her, and knelt by the prostrate captain. Jane's head was dazed. For a moment the earth spun round, and a blue cloud rose and enveloped her. She would have fallen had not her daughter caught and sustained her. Winefred led her within to a seat, and as Jane entered she shrank from the captain. She put her hands before her eyes and remained breathing hard, and trembling in every limb. After a while she withdrew her hands, looked at the young man, and asked, 'Who is that?'