bs,
and furtively lifting his hat to this person.

Mavis joined him.

"What has become of you all this time?"

"I've been working in London."

"I've often thought of you. What are you doing now?"

"I'm looking for something to do."

"I suppose you'd never care to come back and work for me in Melkbridge?"

"Nothing I should like better," remarked Mavis, as her heart leapt.

They talked for two or three minutes longer, when, the train being on
the point of starting, Devitt said:

"Send me your address and I'll see you have your old work again."

Mavis thanked him.

"Just met Miss Toombs?" he asked.

"She's been staying with me. Thank you so much."

Mavis hurried from the man's carriage to that containing her friend,
who was standing anxiously by the window.

"It's all right!" cried Mavis excitedly.

"What's all right, dear?" cried Miss Toombs as the train began to move.

"I'm coming to work at Melkbridge. It's au revoir, dear!"

Mavis was astonished, and not a little disquieted, to see the
expression of concern which came over her friend's disappearing face at
this announcement.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

AN OLD FRIEND

Four days later, Mavis spent the late afternoon with her baby and Jill
in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital. She then took a 'bus to Ebury
Bridge (Jill running behind), to get out here and walk to her lodging.
As she went up Halverton Street, she noticed, in the failing light, a
tall, soldierly looking man standing on the other side of the road. But
the presence of men of military bearing, even in Halverton Street, was
not sufficiently infrequent to call for remark. Mavis opened her door
with the key and went to her room. Here, she fed her baby and ate
something herself. When her boy fell asleep, Mavis left him in charge
of Jill and went out to do some shopping. She had not gone far when she
heard footsteps behind her, as if seeking to overtake her. Mavis, who
was well used to being accosted by night prowlers, quickened her steps,
but to no purpose: a moment or two later, someone touched her arm. She
turned angrily, to see Windebank beside her. Her expression relaxed, to
become very hard.

"Don't you know me?" he asked huskily.

She stopped, but did not reply. She recalled the man she had seen
standing on the other side of the road, and whom she now believed to
have been Windebank. If it were he, and he had been waiting to see her,
he had undoubtedly seen her baby. Rage, self