mp.

Even yet he was careful, and so long as he was near the village he made
a show of avoiding observation as much as possible. Later on, when he
had made certain he was not being followed, he did not trouble so much,
though he still kept it in mind that any one he met or passed might well
be in fact one of Deede Dawson's agents.

He walked on sharply through the crisp autumn air, and in other
circumstances would have found the walk agreeable enough. It was a
little curious that as he proceeded on his way his chief preoccupation
seemed to shift from his immediate errand and intense eagerness to
discover the identity of his unknown foe, with whom he hoped to stand
face to face so soon, to a troubled and pressing anxiety about Ella.

Up till now he had not thought it likely that she was in the least real
danger. He knew Simmonds, the man Walter had promised to put on watch at
Bittermeads, and knew him to be capable and trustworthy. None the less,
his uneasiness grew and strengthened with every mile he traversed, till
presently her situation seemed to him the one weak link in his careful
plans.

That the trap the unknown had so carefully laid for himself to be taken
in, would assuredly and securely close upon him, Dunn felt certain
enough. Walter would see to that. Sure was it, too, that the enterprise
Deede Dawson had planned for himself and Allen at the Abbey must result
in their discomfiture and capture. Walter would see to that also. But
concerning Ella's position doubt would insist on intruding, till at last
he decided that the very moment the Brook Bourne Spring business
was satisfactorily finished with he would hurry at his best speed to
Bittermeads and make sure of her safety.

Absorbed in these uneasy thoughts, he had insensibly slackened speed,
and looking at his watch he saw that it was two o'clock, and that he
was still, by the milestone at the roadside, eight miles from his
destination.

He wished to be there a little before the time arranged for him by Deede
Dawson, and he increased his pace till he came to a spot where the path
he had to take branched off from the road he had been following. At this
spot a heavy country lad was sitting on a gate by the wayside, and as
Dunn approached he clambered heavily down and slouched forward to meet
him.

"Be you called Robert Dunn, mister?" he asked.

Dunn gave him a quick and suspicious look, much startled by this sudden
recognition in so lonely a spot.