ference to Octon. I think that
he must have seen something in mine, for he added in a low voice, "Very
likely that's all." He seemed to urge this view upon me.

Well, it was not an unlikely view. She had risked much for a last talk
with Octon. She might well be tempted to seek another, a final,
farewell. But I was very uneasy.

Without more words, merely with a polite lift of his hat, Fillingford
got into his carriage and was driven off toward the Manor. I turned and
walked slowly back to the house. Lacey came out from the shrubbery on
the left of the path. "Well?" he said.

"I want your help inside," I said.

He asked no questions. We went in together and set to work with Powers.
With the help of brandy and a shaking we got him on his feet. Soon he
was well enough to be led home. His wife was in by now and opened the
door for us. I told her that he had had a kind of seizure, but was much
better--there was no need of a doctor. I sent her to get his bed ready.
Then I had a word with him.

"Can you understand business?" I asked.

"Yes--I feel queer, though."

"Hold your tongue and you shall be well paid. Talk, and you won't get a
farthing. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Mr. Austin."

"Very well, act on it for to-night--and I'll come and see you
to-morrow."

I left his wife getting him to bed. I do not think that the story of the
seizure imposed on her, but she pretended to accept it. Probably she was
accustomed to his having accidents--the risks of the trade he practiced
were considerable. Meanwhile Lacey had been over to the Ford again, and
left a written message on the table, saying that Octon had been called
to town and would not be back that night. All else could wait till
to-morrow. Now I wanted to get back to Breysgate. Lacey, too, was for
home, which he could reach quicker by the public road than by coming
round through our park. He had put to me no question at all up to now.
Just as we were parting he did ask two.

"We didn't bring it off, I gather?"

I shook my head. Most certainly we had not brought it off.

"How did the--the governor behave?"

One speech of "the governor's" had been perhaps a little bitter. That
was his right; and the bitterness was in the high manner--as Jenny
herself had felt.

"He behaved--perfectly." That description was--from our side--only his
due.

Lacey looked at me, smiled woefully, and shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes--and so he's lost her!" he said. He turned on hi