ields?--without anything on her
head--into the fields that lead over to"----

"To--you don't mean to--the water?"

Still clinging to his hand, she sobbed, tried to utter words of denial,
then again of fear. For the instant Denzil was paralyzed, but rapidly
he released himself, and in a voice of command bade her follow. They
entered the cab and were driven towards the Town Hall.

"Did you go to the water," he asked, "and look about there?"

"Yes," she answered, "I did.--I could see nothing."

As they drew near, a roar of triumphant voices became audible;
presently they were in the midst of the clamour, and with difficulty
their vehicle made its way through a shouting multitude. It stopped at
length by the public building, and Quarrier alighted. At once he was
recognized. There rose yells of "Quarrier for ever!" Men pressed upon
him, wanted to shake hands with him, bellowed congratulations in his
ear. Heedless, he rushed on, and was fortunate enough to find very
quickly the man he sought, his brother-in-law.

"Toby!" he whispered, drawing him aside, "we have lost Lilian! She may
be at your house; come with us!"

Voiceless with astonishment, Mr. Liversedge followed, seated himself in
the cab. Five minutes brought them to his house.

"Go in and ask," said Quarrier.

Toby returned in a moment, followed by his wife.

"She hasn't been here. What the deuce does it all mean? I can't
understand you. Why, where should she have gone?"

Again Denzil drew him aside.

"Get a boatman, with lights and drags, and row round as fast as
possible to Bale Water!"

"Good heavens! What are you talking about?"

"Do as I tell you, without a minute's delay! Take this cab. I shall be
there long before you."

Mrs. Liversedge was talking with Mrs. Wade, who would say nothing but
that Lilian had disappeared. At Denzil's bidding the cab was
transferred to Toby, who, after whispering with his wife, was driven
quickly away. Quarrier refused to enter the house.

"We shall find another cab near the Town Hall," he said to Mrs. Wade.
"Good-night, Molly! I can't talk to you now."

The two hastened off. When they were among the people again, Mrs. Wade
caught sentences that told her the issue of the day. "Majority of over
six hundred!--Well done, Quarrier!--Quarrier for ever!" Without
exchanging a word, they gained the spot where one or two cabs still
waited, and were soon speeding along the Rickstead Road.

"She may be at the cottage," w