"God forgive me, yes!" wept Miriam, wringing her hands. "I know--he employed some man to find out all about you. Oh, Jabez, that is why it is so mad for you to be here, for I fear he knows the truth!" "Who was the man?" "I don't know his name. Barton calls him 'The Shadow'--he is a tall, dark, lean man, with a deep voice." Jabez started. "I've seen him. I know--he comes to Mother Mandarin's, but I have never spoken to him. The old hag knows his name right enough, but she keeps it mighty dark. So he has been hunting me down, has he?" "Yes, yes--but he is friendly to you, Jabez. It was he who told me to advise you against coming here. That was why I wrote to you." The man stamped impatiently. "Now look here, Miriam, if that Barton of yours crosses my path, I'll slip a knife into him straight, so I tell you!" "Jabez, don't--don't say it. Keep away, and I'm sure he won't harm you." "Then why does he set this man on my track?" "Only to gain power over me. He knows how afraid I am, lest--lest anything should happen to you, but I would do anything or suffer anything rather than you should come to harm. And so, knowing what he knows, he is able to force me to obey him. And, besides that, Jabez, I have an enemy in the person of this Mrs. Darrow, whose little boy I am teaching. She has dismissed me, and, if by any chance, she came to know my past, and my connection with you--well, I am afraid to say what might happen. You see how foolish you have been to come here!" "So you are dismissed! Well, I'm sorry for that. I thought you were well provided for. I can't help you. But I won't bother you. I'm going off to America, to make a fresh start--that's really why I came down here. I want some money, Miriam." "I can only give you twenty pounds," said the girl, feeling in her pocket "Here it is in gold. I knew you would want some." "Lord, is that all?" "Yes, Jabez. It is every pound that I have--it is the remains of the cheque Mr. Barton gave me to buy my outfit when I came here." "Well, I'll take it, but it's little enough," he grumbled, slipping the purse into his pocket "I suppose I'll get to America somehow." "Oh, dear, do take care of yourself--perhaps I shall never see you again. I feel so terribly alone, Jabez, and when you are gone----" She burst into tears almost uncontrollable. "Come, keep up your pecker, old girl--you'll be all right. Why don't you fix it up with the old man?" "Ugh!" Miriam's ejaculation expressed the greatest loathing. "Jabez! I would as soon marry a snake! You don't know what he is." "Yes I do--a meddlesome old devil, who goes poking his nose into other people's affairs----" "Hush," cried Miriam, grasping his arm, "someone is coming." "They can't hurt----" But he got no further, for the sound of footsteps crunching the snow came rapidly nearer.