if he expected to
work among them in the future.

For some time he sat there, and then continued on his way. He had just
reached the foot of the hill when he saw some one coming toward him.
Soon he was able to recognise the form of Joe Benton, the shoemaker.

"You are out late to-night," Douglas accosted. "You seem to be in a
great hurry. Is anything wrong?"

Joe came up close and looked keenly into the young man's face.

"Oh, it's you, is it?" he panted. "Have you seen anything of my lass?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"No?" There was something so pathetic about the way that single word
was uttered, that Douglas' heart ached for the old man.

"When did she leave home?" he asked.

"Just after supper."

"Oh, she'll come back all right, never fear."

"Ah, but Jean's so changed," and Joe clutched Douglas by the arm.
"She's not what she used to be. Before she went to the city I had no
fear about her not coming home in proper time. But now it is
different. There's something troubling the lass, and I believe her
mind is affected. Oh, it is terrible!"

"Has she told you anything?"

"No, not a word. It's not like Jean. She used to tell us everything.
She was a child then; but now--Lord have mercy upon her!"

As Douglas stood there watching the heart-broken old man, a sudden idea
flashed into his mind. Had he really seen Jean? Was it her face he
had beheld at the hall door? Yes, he felt almost certain that it was
she, the same woman he had rescued from the water of the harbour. But
what should he do? Dare he tell Joe all about it, and how Ben Stubbles
had tried to destroy her?

As he thought over these things, the shoemaker was standing looking out
over the fields. Only by the light of the moon could Douglas see his
face, and he noticed that it was very haggard. But he could not see
the fire of anger which was kindling in his eyes. Only when the bent
form straightened itself with a jerk, and a tense arm was thrust out,
did he fully realise the greatness of his emotion.

"My Jean is not to blame," he cried. "She is as innocent as a child.
Some villain has injured her, and I must find him. And when I do----"

"You will forgive him," Douglas added, as Joe paused for lack of
suitable words to express his wrath.

"Forgive him! Why should I forgive a man who has ruined my lass?"

"Because you are so bidden by the Great Master."

Joe looked quickly up into his companion's face, and his body some