ee that it did break it down, appear as casual as possible. But,
at the same time, he must make it quite clear to her that he could secure
her safety. He felt that though she might think his firm resolve that no
one should swing for the murder quixotic, she would perceive that it was
only in keeping with his generous nature.

He had expected to find her much more disturbed by the nervously
picturesque articles of Mr. Gregg and Mr. Douglas than she appeared.
Indeed, she seemed to him much less under a strain, much less nervous
than she had been the night before. None the less, he was careful to
reassure her wholly by the announcement of his discovery of the important
nature of the evidence he could give, before he said anything about those
articles. When he did tell her that he could break down any case for the
prosecution, she did not at once confess that she was the woman of whose
visit to Lord Loudwater those stories told; they did not even discuss the
question, which had seemed so important to the _Daily Wire_, who that
woman was. They contented themselves with discussing the question who
could have seen her. He admired her spirit in not telling him, her
readiness to forgo his comfort and support before the absolute need for
them was upon her. Her force of character was what he most admired in
her, and this was a striking example of it. His own character, he knew,
was rather subtile and delicate than strong. He was more than ever alive
to the advantage of having her to lean upon in the difficult career that
lay before him.

Mr. Flexen was disappointed that the advertisement of the mysterious
woman in the _Wire_ and the _Planet_ brought no information about her
during the morning. After lunch Mr. Carrington returned to London. At
half-past three Mr. Flexen telegraphed to Scotland Yard to ask if any one
had given them information about the woman he was seeking. No one had.
Then he realized that he was unreasonably impatient. Whoever had the
information would probably think the matter over, and perhaps confer with
friends before coming forward. In the meantime, he would make inquiries
of James Hutchings.

He drove to the gamekeeper's cottage to find James Hutchings sitting on a
chair outside it and reading the _Planet_. He perceived that he looked
puzzled. Also, he perceived that he still wore a strained, hunted air,
more strained and hunted by far than at their last talk.

He walked briskly up to him and said: "Good