rs," said Max. "There are several."

"Oh, no, it wasn't a gardener. Can't you trust my London eyes? And
listen: Presently another one came up, and they talked together. Then
one went one way and the other another, not like gardeners or
workingmen, but like men on the lookout."

"What should they be on the lookout for?" asked Max. "If they want
Dudley, why don't they come up to the house? I don't doubt that by this
time they know where he is."

Carrie said nothing; but there was in her eyes, as she glanced
searchingly round her, a peculiar look of wistful dread which puzzled
Max and made him wonder what fear it was that was in her mind.

CHAPTER XXIV.

MAX MAKES A STAND AND A DISCOVERY.

There was a pause, and then Carrie, without answering him, turned to go
back into the house. But Max followed and caught her by the arm.

"Carrie," said he, "they're making a slave of you, without a word of
thanks. You look worn out."

"No, I'm not," said she, briskly. "I've only taken my turns; I should
look all right if it hadn't been for that long, tiring journey
yesterday. I haven't quite got over that yet."

She was trying to free her hand, which Max was holding in his.

"You'll never be strong enough for a hospital nurse, Carrie!"

"Oh, yes, but I shall!" retorted she. And as she spoke, the pink color,
the absence of which made her usually look so delicate, came into her
cheeks. "And you must remember that I shall be better fed, better
clothed then. I am not really weak at all."

"I repeat--you will never be strong enough for a nurse. Better take my
advice and marry me, Carrie!"

But at that, a sudden impulse of hot anger gave the girl the necessary
strength to snatch her hand away from him. She faced him fiercely.

"What! To be looked at always as your father, your mother, look at me
now? As if I were a thief who must be watched, lest she should steal
something? They needn't be afraid either, if only they knew! And before
I go I'll tell them. Yes, I'll tell them what a mistake they make in
thinking I want to take their son, their precious son, away from them!
That for their son!"

And Carrie, very ungratefully, to be sure, held her right hand close to
the face of Max and snapped her fingers scornfully. She had seen Mrs.
Wedmore's eyes over the half blind of one of the windows, and the minx
thought this little scene would be a wholesome lesson.

But Max, following the direction of Carrie's eyes, had also