"Quite certain sir. You remember mother, he told both of us when he came back that he had been staying with a friend." "Yes! I remember now. Then he paid his bill and went away, to catch a train, he said." "The Paddington train," put in the daughter. "I heard him tell the cabby to drive to Paddington." Herrick thanked the two women for their information, and asked if Mr. Joyce had been there since. Both were positive he had not. "I saw him only once sir and he did not sleep here," were the last words of the daughter. So Herrick departed fully convinced that Robin had told him a second lie. Naturally the little man never thought that anything would happen likely to induce Herrick to make enquires. Nor would such have been the case, but for Stephen's remark about the annuity. "The question now," said Herrick to himself, "is whether he was at Saxham on that night. If I can prove that--" he shook his head, and acknowledged that things were beginning to look black against Joyce. For the moment he almost made up his mind to go at once to West Kensington and tell Joyce the whole story, demanding at the same time an explanation of these--apparently unnecessary lies. But on second thoughts he resolved to wait until he could make certain that Joyce had gone down to Saxham. Robin would probably take the afternoon train to Beorminster. In that case however he would have had to change at Southberry Junction and as Herrick was at the Junction he might not risk doing so. There was Heathcroft of course. That was six miles from Saxham, and could be reached by another line. He might have gone that way and walked the six miles. "But I cannot say anything for certain until I make enquiries," thought Herrick and so resolved to wait until he returned to "The Pines" with Marsh. The next two or three days Herrick spent with Stephen. Not a word did he say about the business he had been employed upon. He did not even speak of Joyce, tried not to think of him, but gave himself up to the enjoyment of the moment. Owing to his recent bereavement Stephen would not go to any theatre, but the two managed to find amusement in exploring London. With the greatest good humour, Herrick permitted himself to be dragged to the Tower, the Abbey, and to several other places which Stephen had already visited. Also there was much shopping to do, clothes to be tried on, and all kinds of fascinating things to be bought. Stephen purchased a selection of presents for the Biffs, and made Herrick help him to choose them. They arranged to go back at the week's end, when "The Pines" would be ready to receive them. "I expect it is all in order by this time," said Stephen, "and Ida promised to see after the servants for me. Bess is superintending the whole business. I have told her to do exactly as she pleases, and there is nothing she likes better. We shall find the place in apple-pie order when we go back." "Why do you not marry Miss Bess?" said Herrick laughing.