right, Simmons," he said, "have a good time while they are away.
You are a very fair liar, Simmons, a very fair liar indeed."

He strode back to the station, and waited for a train to take him back
to London. The porters watched him curiously. They had heard scores of
rumours, and thus this man was of great interest to them. They had heard
that Miss Castlemaine had been told that he was already married; they
had been also told that he was guilty of forgery, and had lately come
out of gaol. Others again had it that it was not because of Leicester at
all that the wedding had not taken place, but that Miss Castlemaine had
been taken ill the previous day, and on calling in the doctor she had
been told that she must not think of getting married, but must
immediately leave the country. One report had it that the doctor had
told her she could not live six months, while another rumour said that
if she went away for a twelve months' voyage around the world she might
return well and strong. Of course the servants had been closely
questioned, but their knowledge was very scanty, and such as they had
they were forbidden on pain of dismissal to divulge.

But Leicester took no notice of those who directed their glances towards
him. He might have been in a trance for all the cognisance he took of
his surroundings. He had some time to wait for his train, and he walked
slowly up and down the platform, heedless of everything.

"Sad about Miss Castlemaine, sir."

He turned and saw the station-master, who was a noted gossip. Leicester
looked straight at the man, but did not utter a word.

"Of course it must be terrible for you, sir. Nobody ever suspected that
she was ill; but it must be terrible, for Mr. Castlemaine told me
himself when he left last night that they might not return for months."

"Ah, he told you that, did he?"

"Yes, sir. I could see he was in great trouble; but he scarcely spoke to
me, which is different from what he usually is. He often had a chat with
me in the mornings when waiting for his train. He always took the same
train, the 10.9, and he was always here five minutes before time.
However, when I asked him, he told me he was going abroad. What part
have they gone to, sir?"

"Did he not tell you?"

"No, I asked him; but he seemed as though he didn't want to talk. Of
course you know, sir? Where are they gone, if I might ask?"

But Leicester turned on his heel and walked away. The old servant had
told him t