y head down upon her shoulder and
pillowed it there.

"But--oh, Hermy, he's gone! An' you told me to--look after him."

"Ann, if Arthur meant to go, I'm sure you couldn't have prevented him;
he isn't a child any longer, dear. There, be comforted--we'll hunt for
him in the car--won't we, Geoffrey?"

"Of course," nodded Ravenslee, "I'll 'phone the garage right away."

But as he opened the door he came face to face with Joe, who touched an
eyebrow and jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

"S'cuse me, sir," said he, "but it's that Old Un, covered wi' dust 'e
is, sir, an' wants a word wi' you. And, sir, 'e 's that mysterious as
never was. Shall I let him come in, sir?"

"You try an' keep me out, my lad, that's all!" panted the Old Un,
ducking under Joe's great arm, "I'm better man nor ever you'll be!"

So saying, the Old Un hobbled forward and, sinking into the nearest
armchair, fanned himself with his hat, which, like the rest of his
garments, bore the dust of travel.

"Greetin's, Guv!" said he, when he had caught his breath. "'Ere I be--a
old man as 'as done more for ye than all th' young 'uns put t'gether.
Mrs. Ravenslee, ma'am, best respex!"

"And what have you been doing now?" enquired Ravenslee, smiling.

"Well, Guv, I been an' got th' murderer for ye, that's all!"

Hermione caught her breath suddenly and gazed at the fierce, dusty old
man with eyes full of growing terror; beholding which Ravenslee frowned,
then laughed lightly and, seating himself on a corner of the table,
swung his leg to and fro.

"So you've found him out, have you, Old Un?"

"Ah, that I have!"

"Are you sure?"

"Ah, quite sure, Guv."

"Well, where is he--trot him out."

"'E's comin' along--th' Spider's bringin' un. Ye see, he's a bit wore
out same as I am--we been trampin' all th' arternoon. Look at me shoes,
that's th' worst o' patent leather--they shows th' dust. Joe, my lad,
jest give 'em a flick over with ye wipe."

But at this moment steps were heard slowly approaching, and Hermione
uttered an inarticulate cry, then spoke in an agonised whisper:
"Arthur!"

Pallid of cheek and drooping of head Spike stood in the doorway, his
shabby, threadbare clothes dusty and travel-stained, his slender shape
encircled by the Spider's long arm. At Hermione's cry he lifted his head
and looked up yearningly, his sensitive mouth quivered, his long-lashed
eyes swam in sudden tears, he strove to speak but choked instead; then
Ravenslee's calm