ing of the air of a very good groom--a hard-featured and sharp,
yet not at all unkindly look, very capable and, at the same time, very
much restrained. There was no sentimental nonsense about him at all--his
sorrow had not taken that form.

"Well, I needn't talk much about Jenny's last letter and what happened
after that. I was entirely unprepared, of course. I hadn't the faintest
idea--Well, she was the one person about whom I had no doubts at all! I
actually left the letter unread for a few minutes (the envelope was in
your handwriting, you know)--because I had to think over what I had to
do next. The police had got me turned away from a builder's yard--"

Jack emitted a small sound. He was staring at Frank with all his eyes.

"Yes; that's their way," said Frank. "Well, when I read it, I simply
couldn't think any more at all for a time. The girl we were traveling
with--she had picked up with the man I had got into trouble over, you
know--the girl was calling me to dinner, she told me afterwards. I
didn't hear a sound. She came and touched me at last, and I woke up. But
I couldn't say anything. They don't even now know what's the matter. I
came away that afternoon. I couldn't even wait for the Major--"

"Eh?"

"The Major.... Oh! that's what the chap calls himself. I don't think
he's lying, either. I simply couldn't stand him another minute just
then. But I sent them a postcard that night--I forget where from;
and--There aren't any letters for me, are there?

"One or two bills."

"Oh! well, I shall hear soon, I expect. I must join them again in a day
or two. They're somewhere in this direction, I know."

"And what did you do?"

Frank considered.

"I'm not quite sure. I know I walked a great deal. People were awfully
good to me. One woman stopped her motor--and I hadn't begged, either--"

"You! Begged!"

"Lord, yes; lots of times.... Well, she gave me a quid, and I didn't
even thank her. And that lasted me very well, and I did a little work
too, here and there."

"But, good Lord! what did you do?"

"I walked. I couldn't bear towns or people or anything. I got somewhere
outside of Ripon at last, and went out on to the moors. I found an old
shepherd's hut for about a week or ten days--"

"And you--"

"Lived there? Yes. I mended the hut thoroughly before I came away. And
then I thought I'd come on here."

"What were you doing on the bridge?"

"Waiting till dark. I was going to ask at the lodge then wh