d off, and, with a laugh, she actually kissed her hand to
the stranger. Then I sat back in my corner greatly puzzled and
disturbed. Surely Ray Raymond could not know of these clandestine
meetings?

I was well aware how devoted my friend was to her. Surely she was not
now faithless to her vow!

It was not my place to speak, so I could only patiently watch the
progress of events.

The dark-eyed man alighted with me at Witham, but did not enter the
Maldon train. Therefore I lost sight of him.

Three days later I caught sight of him in the main street at Maldon,
still in gaiters and riding-breeches, and wearing a black and white
check coat and crimson knitted vest. Unnoticed, I watched him come forth
from a saddler's shop, and after making several purchases, he strolled
to my hotel, the "King's Head," where he was met by an elderly
clean-shaven man of agricultural type, with whom he had luncheon in a
corner of the coffee-room.

Ray was still absent. Would that he had been present, and that I dared
to point out to him the man who had apparently usurped his place in
Vera's heart!

At three o'clock, after his friend had left, the young man sat for some
time writing a letter in the smoking-room, and afterwards called the
boots and gave it to him, with orders to deliver it personally.

Then he left for the station apparently on his return to Witham.

After I got back to the "King's Head" I sought James, the boots, and
inquired the addressee of the letter.

"I took it round to Mr. Bramberger at the 'Goat and Binnacle,' sir," was
the servant's reply.

"You know the young gentleman--eh?"

"Oh yes, sir. He's Mr. Freeman, from Woodham Ferris. He's what they call
a 'mud-pupil' of Mr. Harris, Lord Croyland's agent. He's learning
estate-work."

"And he knows Mr. Bramberger?"

"I suppose so. I've often taken notes for him to the 'Goat and
Binnacle.'"

I was silent, recollecting the curious allegation made by the man Rait,
that he had seen the dead man in Freeman's company.

Some other questions I put to the boots, but he could tell me but little
else, only that young Freeman was undoubtedly a gentleman, that he spent
his money freely, and possessed a large circle of friends in the
district.

I learned that he lived in a small furnished cottage outside the dull
little town of Woodham Ferris, and that he had an elderly man-servant
who generally "did" for him.

Had I been mistaken in Vera's motive? Had she become acq