he said, "we shall have an hour or two before dinner."

Frank, in silence, took the bundle and stick from him again, firmly and
irresistibly, and they did not speak again till they were out of
ear-shot of the lodge. Then Jack began, taking Frank's arm--a custom for
which he had often been rebuked.

"My dear old man!" he said. "I ... I can't say what I feel. I know the
whole thing, of course, and I've expressed my mind plainly to Miss
Jenny."

"Yes?"

"And to your father. Neither have answered, and naturally I haven't been
over again.... Dick's been there, by the way."

Frank made no comment.

"You look simply awful, old chap," pursued Jack cheerily. "Where on
earth have you been for the last month? I wrote to York and got the
letter returned."

"Oh! I've been up and down," said Frank impassively.

"With the people you were with before--the man, I mean?"

"No. I've left them for the present. But I shall probably join them
again later."

"Join...!" began the other aghast.

"Certainly! This thing's only just begun," said Frank, with that same
odd impassivity. "We've seen the worst of it, I fancy."

"But you don't mean you're going back! Why, it's ridiculous!"

Frank stopped. They were within sight of the house now and the lights
shone pleasantly out.

"By the way, Jack, I quite forgot. You will kindly give me your promise
to make no sort of effort to detain me when I want to go again, or I
shan't come any further."

"But, my dear chap--"

"Kindly promise at once, please."

"Oh, well! I promise, but--"

"That's all right," said Frank, and moved on.

* * * * *

"I say," said Jack, as they came up to the hall door. "Will you talk now
or will you change, or what?"

"I should like a hot bath first. By the way, have you anyone staying in
the house?"

"Not a soul; and only two sisters at home. And my mother, of course."

"What about clothes?"

"I'll see about that. Come on round to the smoking-room window. Then
I'll get in Jackson and explain to him. I suppose you don't mind your
name being known? He'll probably recognize you, anyhow."

"Not in the least, so long as no one interferes."

Jack rang the bell as soon as they came into the smoking-room, and Frank
sat down in a deep chair. Then the butler came. He cast one long look at
the astonishing figure in the chair.

"Oh!--er--Jackson, this is Mr. Frank Guiseley. He's going to stay here.
He'll want some clothes