I had delicious kisses, thanks to Priscilla. And, when I
asked if she would marry me, she didn't say No. She looked, I must own,
a little sadly, and she said: "How can two such poor people as we are
ever hope to marry?" To this I answered: "It won't be long before I lay
my hand on the clew which my Inspector has failed to find. I shall be in
a position to marry you, my dear, when that time comes."

At our next meeting we spoke of her parents. I was now her promised
husband. Judging by what I had heard of the proceedings of other people
in my position, it seemed to be only right that I should be made known
to her father and mother. She entirely agreed with me; and she wrote
home that day to tell them to expect us at the end of the week.

I took my turn of night-duty, and so gained my liberty for the greater
part of the next day. I dressed myself in plain clothes, and we took our
tickets on the railway for Yateland, being the nearest station to the
village in which Priscilla's parents lived.

VI.

THE train stopped, as usual, at the big town of Waterbank. Supporting
herself by her needle, while she was still unprovided with a situation,
Priscilla had been at work late in the night--she was tired and thirsty.
I left the carriage to get her some soda-water. The stupid girl in the
refreshment room failed to pull the cork out of the bottle, and refused
to let me help her. She took a corkscrew, and used it crookedly. I lost
all patience, and snatched the bottle out of her hand. Just as I drew
the cork, the bell rang on the platform. I only waited to pour the
soda-water into a glass--but the train was moving as I left the
refreshment room. The porters stopped me when I tried to jump on to the
step of the carriage. I was left behind.

As soon as I had recovered my temper, I looked at the time-table. We had
reached Waterbank at five minutes past one. By good luck, the next train
was due at forty-four minutes past one, and arrived at Yateland (the
next station) ten minutes afterward. I could only hope that Priscilla
would look at the time-table too, and wait for me. If I had attempted
to walk the distance between the two places, I should have lost time
instead of saving it. The interval before me was not very long; I
occupied it in looking over the town.

Speaking with all due respect to the inhabitants, Waterbank (to other
people) is a dull place. I went up one street and down another--and
stopped to look at a shop which s