the
cottage.

"Thanks," he said; "is Mr. Thrush in?"

Jane hesitated a moment; then said:

"He's gone out; he will not be long. You know my father?"

"Quite well."

Something in his appearance was familiar; she looked at him curiously.
His eyes fascinated her; they were like a snake's, the eyes of Carl
Meason, her husband, as she remembered them to have looked several
times. It suddenly occurred to her that he might be her husband
disguised; she was almost certain it was. What must she do?

Carl watched her. He caught signs that she recognized him, he had not
much time to lose, he must make good use of it and act at once.

"It's me, my lady; I see you know me. Why did you run away from me?"
he said.

"What have you come here for in this disguise?" she said.

"To take you away. I am running great risks, but I want you, Jane, and
I think you're worth it. You ought to be flattered."

She must parley with him until her father and Abel were at hand.

"I shall not go with you," she said firmly.

"Oh, yes, you will; I think I can persuade you," he said, looking
threateningly at her. "You have given me away; that was not proper for
a wife."

She said nothing. If only she could detain him.

"Come, hurry up. Your father will not be back yet; he's gone to Little
Trent, I heard him say so," he said.

"I will not go," said Jane.

"You will, and now. There's your hat and coat. Put them on."

"No!"

He came toward her, looking terrible in his disguise.

"You see this," he said, taking a large knife from his pocket,
unsheathing it. "If you do not come at once I will kill you."

She shuddered. She knew he would do it; this was no empty threat.
Mechanically she took her hat and cloak and put them on.

"If you cry out I will use it," he said, holding up the knife. She did
not speak. He took her by the wrist and led her out; she was not so
afraid now, probably it was the safest plan to go with him--she could
escape again.

He pulled her rapidly along by the wall until he reached the motor.

"Get in," he said, turning on the small inside lamps.

Jane entered; she heard him fixing the starter; he got in and in a few
minutes the car moved.

"It all depends on yourself whether you come out of this alive," he
said savagely.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Anywhere on to the main road; you can say good-bye to Trent Park,
you'll never see it again," he said.

He intended to kill her when