erstood why she left him, or thought so; it was because she knew
he undertook risks and might suffer as his accomplice if they were
caught.

"She'll have to come away with me," he said. "I'll square her father;
it's only a matter of cash."

It was some time after she left him he decided to take her away. He
wrote; she had not answered his letters. He cursed her for an
obstinate jade, vowing he would pay her out.

Jane showed her father his letters and he duly reported to Alan, who
ordered a watch to be kept round the Park and near the cottage. Abel
Head, Tom Thrush and several of the men at Trent Park were special
constables. They thought it would be a feather in their cap if they
caught a spy.

Carl Meason was cunning. He wished to find out how the land lay before
venturing there. He sent one of his confidential agents to make
inquiries. He returned in a couple of days, saying there were men
about, watching the place, evidently on the lookout for somebody.

From this Carl gathered Jane had given information against him and flew
into a terrible rage. Come of it what might he decided to punish her
even if he ran risks.

He made elaborate preparations for his journey, hired a small but
powerful car, disguised himself thoroughly. He was an adept at making
up. In New York he had more than once saved his life owing to his
skill. He knew the country well. He journeyed down in the daytime,
passing through Little Trent slowly, saw Abel Head at the door of the
Sherwood Inn, smiled as he noticed he was unrecognized. He went at the
same pace along the road leading past the wall where the door opened
near Tom Thrush's cottage.

Jane heard the motor, opened the door, and looked out. So well was he
disguised that she failed to recognize him or the car.

Motorists often went through the road in Trent Park and no notice was
taken of Meason and his car.

It so happened that Alan and his wife were in London and as there had
been no signs of Meason the watchers relaxed their vigilance. Tom
Thrush was of opinion Meason had cleared out because he was in danger
of being discovered; and Abel Head was of the same mind.

Jane felt safer. Perhaps he divined she had told of his doings and in
consequence he thought it safer to hide for a time. She was, however,
careful not to go far away from home, nor did she walk outside the
Park. There was no telling what a desperate man would do.

Fortune favored Carl Meason.