, before Waymark kept her. And you knew it, well
enough--no fear!"

"It's a lie, a cursed lie! No one can say a word against her purity.
Only a foul mind could imagine such things."

"Purity! Oh yes, she's very pure--you know that, don't you? No doubt
you'll be a witness, and give evidence for her, and against me;--let
everybody know how perfect she is, and what a beast and a liar I am!
You and your Ida Starr!"

Julian rushed out of the room.

Waymark could not but observe peculiarities in Mr. Woodstock's
behaviour during the conversation about Ida. At first it had occurred
to him--knowing a good deal of Abraham's mode of life--that there must
be some disagreeable secret at the bottom, and for a moment the
ever-recurring distrust of Ida rose again. But he had soon observed
that the listener was especially interested in the girl's earliest
years, and this pointed to possibilities of a different kind. What was
it that was being taken from the drawer to show him, when the old man
suddenly altered his mind? Mr. Woodstock had perhaps known Ida's
parents. Waymark waited with some curiosity for the interview on the
morrow.

Accordingly, he was surprised when, on presenting himself, Mr.
Woodstock did not at first appear to remember what he had called about.

"Oh, ay, the girl!" Abraham exclaimed, on being reminded. "What did you
say her name was? Ida something--"

Waymark was puzzled and suspicious, and showed both feelings in his
looks, but Mr. Woodstock preserved a stolid indifference which it was
very difficult to believe feigned.

"I've been busy," said the latter. "Never mind; there's time. She was
remanded for a week, you said? I'll go and see Helter about her. May as
well come along with me, and put the case in 'artistic' form."

It was a word frequently on Waymark's lips, and he recognised the
unwonted touch of satire with a smile, but was yet more puzzled. They
set out together to the office of the solicitor who did Abraham's legal
business, and held with him a long colloquy. Waymark stated all he knew
or could surmise with perfect frankness. He had heard from Julian the
night before of the discovery which it was said the police had made at
Ida's lodgings, and this had strengthened his fear that Harriet's
accusation was genuine.

"How did this girl lose her place at the laundry?" asked Mr. Helter.

Waymark could not say; for all he knew it was through her own fault.

"And that's all you can tell us, Waym