said Carl.

Abel was not satisfied. He had never seen such big lamps inside a car
before and he did not believe Meason's reason for having it. Although
he had plenty on hand Carl Meason found time to meet Jane Thrush.
After much persuasion he induced her to go in his car to Nottingham to
see the sights, and strange to say Tom raised no objections. Thrush
seemed favorably impressed with Meason; no doubt an occasional fiver
helped in this direction, for Tom was fond of money.

"Where's the harm?" he said to himself. "Jane's a clever girl, knows
more than the ordinary, and she's good enough for any man. He seems
sweet on her. No reason why he should not marry her. There's money,
not a doubt or he couldn't sling fivers about like he does."

All the same he questioned Jane closely after her return from
Nottingham; but she was reticent. Not given to talking much himself he
did not pay so much notice to this as he might otherwise have done.

Carl Meason was a man to attract a girl like Jane Thrush. He could be
agreeable when he chose; his face concealed his real feelings--it was a
mask and effectually changed the man to outward appearances. Meason
was making the mistake of his life. He was fast becoming infatuated
with Jane Thrush, subordinating certain objects to her, spending time
in her company. The work he had in hand brooked no interference. It
was sufficiently dangerous; there must be no leakage. Not a hint or a
whisper must get about or he would be in grave danger on both sides.
His employers were ruthless, and the authorities in England would not
be likely to spare even his life if they got wind of his purpose and
how he was working.

Jane Thrush held him in the hollow of her hand did she but know it. At
present she was too innocent to suspect his real nature and she never
dreamed what he was about. She would not have understood his affairs
had they been explained to her. Jane merely saw in him a well-to-do
man, who talked to her with respect, and was evidently more than half
in love with her. She was not conceited although she had a proper
sense of her importance and good looks, which was fostered by her
father.

During the drive to Nottingham and back Carl Meason made love to her in
ardent fashion and she had not repulsed him although she was careful to
keep him within bounds. One thing Tom Thrush had effectually taught
his daughter and that was the perils to which pretty girls are exposed.