o; but the landlords get
rid of them as soon as they have spent all their money. But, as you've
sent for me, I'll set a couple of our sharpest men to go from house to
house, and then report to you."

The superintendent left to perform his mission, and orders were given to
the military provosts; but another day passed away, and neither civil
nor military police had anything to report. No one had seen the young
bandsman on his way to some distant railway station, and men began to
shake their heads, while Jerry's face looked hollow from anxiety. At
the same time, though, he felt a kind of pride in the fact that he was
constantly being questioned by those who knew that he and Dick had been
on friendly terms, this culminating in his being stopped one day in the
street by a couple of ladies.

"You are Mr Lacey's servant, are you not?" said the younger.

"Yes, ma'am--oh, I beg your pardon, miss. I didn't know you behind your
veil."

"Has anything been heard of Smithson?"

"No, ma'am. I'm sorry to say that--"

There was a sigh, and the lady turned away, followed by her companion.

"Well," said Jerry, "she might have stopped to hear all I had to say.
My word, now people have got to like him! Even her. Well, he saved her
life. What can have come to him? I daren't go and say all I think,
for, after all, it mayn't be true. I know: I'll wait a week, and then,
right or wrong, I'll speak; for I can't keep his secret longer than
that."

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

THE COWARD'S BLOW.

Fully determined that there must be no scandal, Dick resolved to await
his opportunity, and then confront his cousin, to demand of him that he
should quickly vacate his position; and, to this end, he watched for a
chance to meet him somewhere quite alone. But he very soon became aware
of the fact that not only had Mark recognised, but avoided, him, till
one day, when idling along about a couple of miles from the town, there
was Mark ahead, going on in front, as if inviting him to follow, and
leading him on right away.

What Mark's object was in following his devious course along the lanes
more and more into the country Richard Frayne did not pause to consider;
all he thought was that at last, after many efforts, he was going to run
his cousin down, and bring him to bay right away from the possibility of
interruption, and where, out in the open fields, they would, for the
time being, occupy the position not of officer and private--wi