iderations of a more
particular kind.

* * * * *

He heard Frank come out, and turned to see him in the dim light, bag in
hand, dressed again as he had been three days ago. On his head once more
was the indescribable cap; on his body the indescribable clothes. He
wore on his feet the boots in which he had tramped the moors that day.
(How far away seemed that afternoon now, and the cheerful lunch in the
sunshine on the hill-top!)

"Here I am, Jack."

Then every promise went to the winds. Jack stood up and took a step
towards him.

"Frank, I do implore you to give up this folly. I asked you not to do it
at Cambridge, and I ask you again now. I don't care a damn what I
promised. It's simple madness, and--"

Frank had wheeled without a word, and was half-way to the gate. Jack
stumbled after him, calling under his breath; but the other had already
passed through the gate and joined the Major and Gertie before Jack
could reach him.

"And so you think up here is the right direction?" Frank was saying.

"I got some tips at the 'Crown,'" said the Major. "There are some farms
up there, where--"

"Frank, may I speak to you a minute?"

"No.... All right, Major; I'm ready at once if you are."

He turned towards Jack.

"By the way," he said, "what's in this parcel?"

"Something to eat and drink," murmured Jack.

"Oh ... I shan't want that, thanks very much. Here's the bag with the
clothes in it. I'm awfully grateful, old man, for all your kindness.
Awfully sorry to have bothered you."

"By the way, Frankie," put in the hateful voice at his side, "I'll take
charge of that parcel, if you don't want it."

"Catch hold, then," said Frank. "You're welcome to it, if you'll carry
it. You all right, Gertie?"

The girl murmured something inaudible. As at their first meeting, she
had said nothing at all. The Major lifted a bundle out of the depths of
the hedge, slung it on his stick, and stood waiting, his face again
illuminated with the glow of his pipe. He had handed the new parcel to
Gertie without a word.

"Well, good-by again, old man," said Frank, holding out his hand. He,
too, Jack saw, had his small bundle wrapped up in the red handkerchief,
as on the bridge when they had first met. Jack took his hand and shook
it. He could say nothing.

Then the three turned and set their faces up the slope. He could see
them, all silent together, pass up, more and more dim in the darkness of
th