Pope did hear, and being a rank coward, changed colour. After an uneasy attempt to assert his dignity, he was quelled by the Cheap-jack's stern eye, and moved away hurriedly in response to an imaginary call. Kind turned to Elspeth, who was thinking. "If them two doctors don't come," said he slowly, "an' the police won't let this chap, as is accused, see the missus, she's a deader." Elspeth covered her face for a moment and thought. "Where is your caravan?" she asked hurriedly. Sweetlips pointed a careless thumb over his right shoulder. "Just outside the village," he replied, "come, an' let us see the Inspector chap. He might listen to me, and let Mr. Herries come to see the poor missus." "I fear not, Sweetlips, you don't know the police." "Don't I, my girl," Kind gave a conscious laugh. "I know them better than I do myself, but quite in an honest way, mind you. I've been other things than a Cheap-jack in my time. But the missus, the missus," he said impatiently, "while I'm talking, she's dying. Come and see her, Elspeth." The girl stood irresolute. She thought of Mrs. Narby's temper, and of Mrs. Narby's heavy fist, of Herries upstairs in danger of his life, and finally of the poor woman dying in the caravan. Some angel passing must have whispered courage to her at the moment, for suddenly her cheeks flushed a brave red, her eyes sparkled, and her mouth grew firm. "I'll come," she said quickly, "but first tell me what you had to do with the police?" Kind hesitated, then lowered his lips to the level of her ear-- "I was a detective once," he whispered, hoarsely. "Used to look after chaps like this Dr. Herries you talk of, and hang 'em if I could." "You beast," said Elspeth in low tones, drawing back. "Dr. Herries is quite innocent." "Then let him save the missus, and I'll save him." "Can you?" she asked, her breast heaving. "Yes, if he really and truly is innocent." "He is. I swear he is," she cried passionately. "Wait till I get my hat and shawl, and we'll see the Inspector, and afterwards go to Mrs. Kind." "Don't tell this police chap of my being a detective," said Kind, in an anxious tone. "I've cut that business; and if folks knew what I had been, they wouldn't come and buy things. All the patter in the world wouldn't help a Cheap-jack who had once hanged criminals." "You'll save this one, only he isn't a criminal," said Elspeth, and glided away up the stairs, while Kind boldly went towards the parlour and knocked. Mrs. Narby opened the door. Sweetlips Kind explained himself in a few minutes, and asked that the prisoner, guarded, of course, should be permitted to see Mrs. Kind. "Certainly not," said Trent, sternly, "the prisoner is in his bedroom, and there he must remain until he is lodged in gaol." "But my wife will die," said Kind, faintly. "I am sorry," replied Trent blandly and uneasily, for his own inclination was to permit the visit. "But I cannot exceed my powers." "Then you won't, sir?"