uences of every point, and trying to see what they meant. Yes,
he was right; and yet she felt sure that Paul believed in his mother's
guilt, and that the reason of his silence was that he was trying to
shield her. Then the old question came back to her. Paul did not
commit this deed; who did it?

Presently Mary Bolitho gave a start as though some new thought had come
into her mind. Her eyes flashed with a bright light. She seemed to
see something which in the past had been hidden from her.

A few minutes later she was in the street, walking rapidly to Paul's
factory. Arrived there, she asked for George Preston.

"He's in Manchester," was the reply. "He's there for the trial."

"But someone must be left in charge?" she urged.

"Ay, Enoch Standring is looking after things while they're away."

"I want to see him," said Mary. "Where is he?"

Without a word the youth to whom she had spoken led the way to Paul's
office, where Enoch Standring was busily writing.

"I am Miss Bolitho," she said to the young man. "Perhaps you know me?"

"Yes," replied the other. "I know you very well by sight. What can I
do for you?"

"You will naturally understand," said Mary, "that I am keenly
interested in--in the trial in Manchester?"

"Naturally," said the young man.

"I suppose," said the girl, "you have in your books a record of all the
people you employ?"

"Certainly."

"When they are engaged and when they leave?"

"Certainly--that is, we put their names down in a book when they come,
and cross them off when they cease working for us."

"And you have all these books at hand?"

"Certainly," replied Standring. He was proud of the way in which the
books of the firm of Stepaside and Preston were kept.

"How many hands do you employ?"

Standring told her.

"Will you let me see your books?"

"It's not usual," replied Standring. "You see, it's the wage-book, and
the account is kept there of the amount each person earns."

"But I'm sure you will let me see it?" said Mary, looking at the young
man with a smile. "Believe me, I do not ask without serious reason!"

The young man hesitated a few seconds and then put the books before
her. "Here they are," He said. "Every name is put down here, and what
each has earned."

"I want to see the pages for the month of December," said Mary. "By
the way, do you often discharge your hands?"

"We never discharge anyone except for a serious reason," said Standring.