ent and dismay.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE SPY

It seemed to Hugh Alston that he had not read the letter aright; it was
so amazing, so disconcerting, that he felt bewildered. What on earth is
wrong? he thought, then he took the letter to the better light at the
window and read again.

"MY DEAR HUGH,

"I have been over to Hurst Dormer three times in
the car, each time hoping and praying that I might find you; but
you are never there now, so I am writing, Hugh, hoping that you
will get my letter. I know I have no right to." (This, Hugh
noticed, had been carefully crossed out.) "I want to see you so
much. I want to ask your advice and help. I don't know what to do,
and I am so unhappy, so wretched. Forgive me, dear, for troubling
you, but if--if only I could see you I am sure you would help me,
and tell me what it is right I should do. Ever and ever

"Your loving,
"MARJORIE."

"So unhappy, so wretched!" Hugh read, and it was this that had amazed
him. Here was a girl engaged to be married to the man she loved, the man
she had told him she could not live without, the man of her own choice,
of her own heart--he himself smoothed the way for her, had taken away
his own undesirable person, had stepped aside, leaving the field to his
rival, and now ...

Hugh blinked at the letter. "What on earth should she be unhappy about?
She has had a quarrel with Tom perhaps, and she wants me to go and talk
to him like a Dutch Uncle. Poor little maid! I daresay it is all about
twopence! But it seems very real and tragic to her." Hugh sighed. He
ought to stay here. This was his place, watching and keeping guard and
ward for Joan, yet Marjorie wanted him.

"I'll go. I can be there and back in a couple of days. I'll go."

He had just time to write and catch the early outward mail from Starden,
to-day was Thursday.

"MY DEAR MARJORIE,

"I have had your letter, and it has worried me not a little. I
can't bear to think of you as unhappy, little girl. I shall come
back to Hurst Dormer, and shall be there to-morrow, Friday, early
in the afternoon. Send me a wire to say if you will come, or if
you would rather that I came to Cornbridge.

"At any rate, be sure that if you are in any trouble or
difficulty, or are worried and anxious, you have done just the
right thing in appealing for help to

"Your old friend,
"HUGH."

He rang