watched Fillingford get out. Fillingford, intent on Hatcham Ford,
never glanced in his direction. When Fillingford had gone in, he resumed
his way to the station.

When I heard the carriage stop, I cried to Jenny, "He mustn't find you!
Run upstairs somewhere--I'll manage to send him away."

"What's the good?" she asked. "We've got to have it out; we may as well
have it out now." She looked at me haughtily. "I'm not inclined to hide
from Lord Fillingford."

Powers's hand went up to his throat; he coughed and gurgled again. She
looked down at him with a smile. "What's the good of hiding me? You
can't hide that!"

"I won't let him in at all!" I cried.

"What's the good? He'll know I'm here if you do that. It's best to let
him in. I'm not afraid to meet him, and I'd rather--know to-night."

His knock came on the door. I went and opened it. He started at the
sight of me.

"You, Mr. Austin? I was looking for Mr. Octon."

"He's not here," I answered. "He has just left for London."

He seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Then are you alone here?" he asked.

Before I had time to think of my answer, Jenny's voice came from the
dining-room. "I am here. Bring Lord Fillingford into this room, Austin."

He did not start now, but he bit his lip. I stood aside to let him pass,
and shut the door after him. Then I followed him into the dining-room.
Jenny was standing near the fire beside Powers, who kept shifting his
head about on the footstool with stiff awkward movements. Fillingford
came to the middle of the room and bowed slightly to Jenny; then his
eyes fell on Powers and, in sudden surprise, he pointed his finger at
him.

"My servant--and your spy," she said. "He has had a narrow escape of his
life."

"So it's true," he said--not in question, but to himself, in a very low
voice. "True to-night--and true often before!"

She made no attempt at denial. "Yes, I have often been here. I'll answer
any question you like to put--and answer it truthfully.

"What I know is enough. I impute no more than I know."

"I thank you for that at least. It's only justice, but justice must be
hard to give--from you to me."

"But what I know is--enough."

"You've a perfect right to say so."

Both were speaking calmly and quietly. There was no trace of passion in
their voices. Neither took any heed of me, but I stayed--since she had
not bidden me go.

He took a letter from his pocket. I recognized the large square envelope
as of th