"Humph!" said Browne, quite puzzled, and also fascinated by this odd creature, who was a kind of Titania in domestic service. "You are a mystery. Well, it's none of my business. I have always kept clear of women, thank God, as they complicate life too much for a plain-thinking man. But Herries--what about him?" "He is innocent." "I know that, but how do you propose to prove his innocence?" "Sweetlips Kind can do that--so he says." "And who is Sweetlips Kind?" "A Cheap-jack, whom I know very well. He was a----" here Elspeth paused and looked hard at the red-faced doctor. "Go on. I am Herries' friend." "Well then, Sweetlips Kind was a detective, and says that he will try and find the real murderer." "Why should he take this trouble over Herries?" "For my sake, because I have been waiting on Mrs. Kind--poor Rachel." "And why should _you_ take the trouble?" Elspeth flushed. "Mr. Herries was kind to me," and she related the incident of the bucket. Browne hemmed and hawed. "I shall never understand the reason why women exaggerate," said he with a shrug, and finishing his coffee. "Herries only did what any man would do for a woman." "So far as this woman is concerned, no man ever did as much," said Elspeth dryly. "Hum! Hum. I say; you are educated." "Yes. I was at a very good girls' school eighteen months ago." "What is your age?" "Nineteen." "You might be fifty by the way you talk. Well then, you want to help Herries, and so do I. Between us, we may best that fool, Trent." "Sweetlips Kind will do that." "Where is he?" "In the caravan, attending to Rachel." Browne rose quickly. "By the way, I nearly forgot that woman, and she needed immediate attention, judging from what you said. I----" he made as to move to the door. Elspeth intercepted him. "Not just now," she said hurriedly, "Rachel is better, and is now asleep. I attended to her." "Pooh, you are not a medical man. I must go, if only out of charity." What Elspeth would have said must remain a mystery, but she apparently was not anxious for the doctor to go on his errand of mercy. At all events she did not move away from the door. Just as she was about to speak, the door opened slightly, and a head topped by an ostrich-feather-trimmed bowler hat was thrust cautiously in. "Elspeth!" She turned at the cautious whisper, and opened the door wide. "Come in, Sweetlips. Dr. Browne was just thinking of seeing your wife." "Dr. Browne," repeated the Cheap-Jack, with a shrewd glance, "and who may he be?" "I am Mr. Herries' friend," explained Browne, rather taken with the man's lean, clever face. "He wanted me to come and help him." "He needs help," muttered Kind, rubbing his bristly chin. "He's in a hole if ever a man was." "Can you get him out of it?" "I," the Cheap-Jack feigned surprise, "pore cove like me?" "I told him you were a detective," put in Elspeth. "Oh my gal, and arter wot I said to----"