ings.

As she took Minette by the hand, and led her along the handsome square
in which they lived, she saw two men look at her very intently, and then
exchange some words apparently about her. In former days, when her
bright colour and pretty face attracted the notice of passers-by, this
would only have pleased her; now it frightened her.

Before they reached Hyde Park Corner Howel hailed her from a cab.

'Netta, would you rather go into Wales to my mother or come with me?'
said Howel.

'With you, Howel, anywhere, not into Wales for the world.'

Howel leaned back into a corner of the cab, and did not speak again.

Netta did not know where they went, but they got into four cabs in
succession, driving a certain distance in one, then paying the driver,
then walking into another street and hailing a fresh vehicle.

At last they reached the far east of London, and found themselves in a
dirty, wretched street, amongst a squalid population.

'Give me the bag, and take care of your pocket,' said Howel, as they
walked along the pavement. 'Keep close to me.'

They reached the house where Howel had taken a lodging the previous day.
He walked through the passage, and bade his wife and child follow him;
ascended two pair of stairs, and entered a large and tolerably
respectable room.

There was a letter on the table, which he opened at once. It contained
the following lines:--

'The double S are comparing notes, and various rumours are in
circulation amongst that set.'

He put the letter in his pocket, and, turning to Netta, told her to go
into the bedroom and take off her own and Minette's bonnet, as they must
stay for a little while where they were.

'Not here, papa,' said Minette, beginning to cry. 'I don't like this
place.'

'Hold your tongue!' said her father sternly, as Netta led her out of the
room.

'Netta,' whispered Howel, 'our name is Mills here--just for a time
only.'

When Netta went into the close, dark bedroom at the back of the
sitting-room, she took off her sobbing child's things, set her on her
lap, and by degrees soothed her to sleep. She laid her on such a bed as
she had assuredly never slept on before, and then returned to Howel.

She stood before him pale and resolute. He was pacing the room rapidly,
and muttering to himself.

'Howel, I must know all! What is the matter? What is to become of us?'
she said.

'We must not be seen by our friends for a time, dear Netta, because I
am liable