s; and he felt that his own were filled with tears. But still he
hardened himself and made no sign.

The judge threw his arms round Paul's neck.

"Paul, my son, my son! Forgive me!" he said, "and love me!"

And Paul did not repulse him, even although he did not yield to his
father's entreaties.

There was a sound of footsteps in the corridor, the noise of the key
turning in the lock. A minute later Judge Bolitho had left the cell;
and then Paul threw himself on the couch, while his frame shook with
mighty sobs.

Judge Bolitho left Strangeways Gaol without speaking a word. In spite
of everything he felt his visit had not been in vain. There was a joy
in his heart for which he could not account.

"Some day he will know," he said to himself. "Some day he will know,
if he lives! And I must save him. I do not believe he is guilty--he
cannot be. He is hiding something from me. He is shielding someone.
I must find out."

It was quite dark by now, and it was some time before he found a cab.
A little later, however, he was back in his hotel again. It seemed to
him as though his powers of action were coming back. He was no longer
bewildered and overwhelmed as he had been.

"Is Miss Bolitho here?" he said to a servant who answered his call.

"No, my lord. She left this morning."

"Left this morning?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Did she leave no message?"

"No, my lord."

He remembered what she had said, and began to realise.

"All right," he said. "Will you bring me a cup of tea?"

A few minutes later he was in the street again. This time he used no
conveyance, but walked rapidly towards Deansgate. Ere long he found
himself in the region where he had been on the previous night, and,
finding his way into Dixon Street, he went to the house where Paul's
mother had met him. When he knocked at the door, however, it was
answered by a stranger.

"Is Mrs. Stepaside in?"

"No; she left here to-day."

"She's coming back again, I suppose?"

"No; I do not think so."

"Did she say where she was going?"

"I think she has gone back to Brunford, but I cannot tell."

"She left no message concerning her intentions?"

"No, she left nowt."

He was about to turn away when evidently a thought struck him suddenly.

"Had she any visitors to-day?" he asked. "Has a young lady been to see
her?"

"Ay; a young woman came this morning about ten o'clock."

"Did you know her?"

"Nay, she was not from these parts.