It was too late to call on Franklin, as it was nearly six o'clock. Still, Ware thought he would reconnoitre in the woods. It was strange that the elder Princess should have been there this morning, and he wondered if she also knew of Anne's whereabouts. But this he decided was impossible. She had only been a few days in England, and she would not likely know anything about the governess. Still, it was odd that she should have taken a walk in that particular direction, or that she should have walked at all. Here was another mystery added to the one which already perplexed him so greatly. However, time was too precious to be wasted in soliloquizing, so he went off post-haste towards the woods round the Priory. Since he wished to avoid observation, he chose by-paths, and took a rather circuitous route. It was nearly seven when he found himself in the forest. The summer evenings were then at their longest, and under the great trees there was a soft, brooding twilight full of peace and pleasant woodland sounds. Had he gone straight forward, he would have come on the great house itself, centred in that fairy forest. But this was the last thing he wished to do. He was not yet prepared to see Franklin. He looked here and there to see if any human being was about, but unsuccessfully. Then he took his way to the spot where he had found the coin of Edward VII. To his surprise he saw a girl stooping and searching. At once he decided that she was looking for the lost coin. But the girl was not Anne. Looking up suddenly she surveyed him with a startled air, and he saw her face plainly in the quiet evening light. She had reddish hair, a freckled face, and was dressed--as Mrs. Parry had said--in all the colors of the rainbow. Giles guessed at once who she was, and bowed. "Good evening, Miss Franklin," he said, lifting his hat, "you seem to be looking for something. Can I assist you?" The damsel looked at him sternly and scowled. "You're trespassing," she said in rather a gruff voice. "I fear that I am," he answered, laughing; "but you'll forgive me if I assist you in your search, won't you?" "Who are you?" questioned Miss Franklin, quite unmoved by this politeness. "I never saw you before." "I have just returned from London. My name is Ware." "Ware!" echoed the girl eagerly. "Giles Ware?" "Yes. Do you know my name?" She took a good look at him, and seemed--he was vain enough to think so--rather to soften towards him. "I have heard Mrs. Morley speak of you," she declared bluntly. "Ah! You have not heard a lady speak of me?" Miss Franklin stared. "No, I never heard a lady talk of you," she replied, with a giggle. "What lady?" "The lady who is stopping in your house." Her eyes became hard, and she assumed a stony expression. "There is no lady in the house but myself." "Not a lady who lost what you are looking for?"