"It looks very like it," commented her son; "however, you had better tell the servants that father has gone to London on business. I expect he will come back. He can't stop away indefinitely." "Of course he'll come back and explain everything. Allen, your father is whimsical--I always admitted that, but he has a heart of gold. All that is strange in his conduct he will explain on his return." "Even why he took my revolver to the Red Deeps?" said Allen grimly. "Whatever he took it for, it was for no ill purpose," said Mrs. Hill. "Perhaps he made an appointment to see Strode there. If so I don't wonder, he went armed, for Strode was quite the kind of man who would murder him." "In that case Mr. Strode has fallen into his own trap. However, I'll see what I can do." "Be careful, Allen. Your father's good name must not suffer." "That is why I am undertaking the investigation," replied the young man, rising. "Well, mother, I am going to see Mrs. Merry and ask where Cain is to be found. The circus may have left Colchester." "You might take the brown paper that was round the box," suggested Mrs. Hill. "Mrs. Merry may be able to say if the address is in her son's writing." "I don't think it is--the hand is a most illiterate one. Cain knows how to write better. I have seen his letters to Eva." "What!" cried Mrs. Hill, scandalised, "does she let a lad in that position write to her?" "Cain is Eva's foster-brother, mother," said Allen drily, "and she is the only one who can manage him." "He's a bad lot like his father was before him," muttered Mrs. Hill, and then went to explain to the servants that Mr. Hill would be absent for a few days.