ed the tone
of a superior, but was still suave. "My information is pretty complete.
Naturally, you are still looking about for employment. I can't promise
you that, but I daresay you wouldn't object to earn a five-pound note?"

"If it's anything--underhand, I'll have nothing to do with it."

"Nothing you can object to. In fact, it's an affair that concerns you
more than any one else.--I believe you can't find any trace of your
wife?"

Northway turned his head, and peered at his neighbour with narrow eyes.

"It's about _her_, is it?"

"Yes, about her."

Strangely enough, Glazzard could not feel as if this conversation
greatly interested him. He kept gazing at the Suspension Bridge, at the
woods beyond, at the sluggish river, and thought more of the view than
of his interlocutor. The last words fell from his lips idly.

"You know where she is?" Northway inquired.

"Quite well. I have seen her often of late--from a distance. To prove I
am not mistaken, look at this portrait and tell me if you recognize the
person?"

He took from an inner pocket a mutilated photograph; originally of
cabinet size, it was cut down to an oval, so that only the head
remained. The portrait had been taken in London between Lilian's return
from Paris and her arrival at Polterham. Glazzard was one of the few
favoured people who received a copy.

Northway examined it and drew in his cheeks, breathing hard.

"There's no mistake, I think?"

The reply was a gruff negative.

"I suppose you do care about discovering her?"

The answer was delayed. Glazzard read it, however, in the man's
countenance, which expressed various emotions.

"She has married again--eh?"

"First, let me ask you another question. Have you seen her relatives?"

"Yes, I have."

"With what result?"

"They profess to know nothing about her. Of course, I don't believe
them."

"But you may," said Glazzard, calmly. "They speak the truth, no doubt.
From them you must hope for no information. In all likelihood, you
might seek her for the rest of your life and never come upon her track."

"Then let me know what you propose."

"I offer to tell you where she is, and how situated, and to enable you
to claim her. But you, for your part, must undertake to do this in a
certain way, which I will describe when everything is ready, a week or
so hence. As I have said, I am willing to reward you for agreeing to
act as I direct. My reasons you shall understand when I go into