w, or rather felt, that something was in the girl's mind, and
took for granted that it had something to do with the crypt. But he
thought it better not to say anything lest he should keep awake a desire
which he hoped would die naturally.

One day it was arranged that Harold should go over to Carstone to see the
solicitor who had wound up his father's business. He was to stay the
night and ride back next day. Stephen, on hearing of the arrangement, so
contrived matters that Master Everard, the son of a banker who had
recently purchased an estate in the neighbourhood, was asked to come to
play with her on the day when Harold left. It was holiday time at Eton,
and he was at home. Stephen did not mention to Harold the fact of his
coming; it was only from a chance allusion of Mrs. Jarrold before he went
that he inferred it. He did not think the matter of sufficient
importance to wonder why Stephen, who generally told him everything, had
not mentioned this.

During their play, Stephen, after pledging him to secrecy, told Leonard
of her intention of visiting the crypt, and asked him to help her in it.
This was an adventure, and as such commended itself to the schoolboy
heart. He entered at once into the scheme con amore; and the two
discussed ways and means. Leonard's only regret was that he was
associated with a little girl in such a project. It was something of a
blow to his personal vanity, which was a large item in his moral
equipment, that such a project should have been initiated by the girl and
not by himself. He was to get possession of the key and in the forenoon
of the next day he was to be waiting in the churchyard, when Stephen
would join him as soon as she could evade her nurse. She was now more
than eleven, and had less need of being watched than in her earlier
years. It was possible, with strategy, to get away undiscovered for an
hour.

* * * * *

At Carstone Harold got though what he had to do that same afternoon and
arranged to start early in the morning for Normanstand. After an early
breakfast he set out on his thirty-mile journey at eight o'clock.
Littlejohn, his horse, was in excellent form, notwithstanding his long
journey of the day before, and with his nose pointed for home, put his
best foot foremost. Harold felt in great spirits. The long ride the day
before had braced him physically, though there were on his journey times
of great sadness when the thought of his father came back t