savage thrusts, Paul is again seated,
drifting down the stream.

"Uncle Thomas and I are following, when another spy emerges from a
cluster of bushes farther down, keeping slightly in rear of the boat, a
short distance from shore.

"Uncle and I are a few feet apart. I am ahead. Both of us are eager, but
cautious. The grass and bushes rustle, but that spy is too intent for
hearing or fear. The chase grows exciting.

"Drifting around a curve, the boat is out of sight. That stranger runs
forward, trips and falls on the river's brink. I was alarmed, as it
seemed sure that this man would fall into the current. I paused at the
edge of leafy foliage. To my relief the fallen man recovers his
footing. Giving a look to where I stood partly concealed, he hurries
on, badly limping, as if in pain. Uncle Thomas signaled me to keep back,
and we followed cautiously at greater distance, but soon after lost
sight of this limping spy.

"I was nearly exhausted with the chase. Just before reaching the point
of starting, we rested over an hour, and then went to the inn.

"Next day that assistant told of both Pierre and Paul having spent most
of the night away from their room. Contrary to custom, Pierre went out
first. A few minutes afterward, Paul left, starting in an opposite
direction from that taken by his father. Puzzled at this change in
Lanier habits, and fearing some new flight, the assistant followed, but
soon losing sight of Paul, returned to watch that cellar stairway.

"After midnight, Paul came back. Limping around the corner, faint and
exhausted, hours later, Pierre staggered down the stairs.

"We were then sure this spy was Pierre Lanier, who for the first time
had witnessed Paul's Thames infatuation. This was confirmed later by
Pierre's limping walk.

"It became apparent to Uncle Thomas and his assistant that other
shadowings were occurring. Spies upon their actions, as well as those of
the Laniers, watched regular shifts. They suspected that in some way you
were responsible for this, but doubted that you had any hint of their
identity.

"Another discreet helper was employed by Uncle Thomas, to report any
interesting happenings at Northfield.

"That you visited London and called at a detective agency was reported.
This helper followed you back to Northfield, and reported Charles
Randolph's return from abroad. Later the same spy followed your son to
London, and told Uncle Thomas at what hotel Charles stopped.

"I