last to go
away altogether, and, when once he had made up his mind, only waited for
a chance to tell her that he was going. The chance came as she left the
office after consulting with Pinnock.

"Miss Grant," he said, "if you don't mind, I think I will resign my
management of this station. I will make a start for myself or get a job
somewhere else. You will easily get someone to take my place."

She looked at him keenly for a while.

"I didn't expect this of you," she said, bitterly. "The rats leave the
sinking ship. Is that it?"

His face flushed a dull red. "You know better than that," he said. "I
would stop if I could be of any use, but what is there I can do?"

"Why do you want to leave?"

"I want to get away from here--I want to get out of the hills for
awhile."

Mary knew, as well as if he had told her, that what he wanted was to go
where he could forget her and see whether absence would break the chain;
and triumph lit up her eyes, for it was pleasant even in the midst
of her troubles to know that he still cared. Then she came to a swift
decision.

"Will you do something for me away from the hills, then?" she said.

"Where?"

"Up North. I want some one to find that man Considine that your brother
and Mr. Carew met. You know how important it is to me. Will you do it
for me?"

Hugh would have jumped at the chance to risk his life for her lightest
wish.

"I will go anywhere and do my best to find anyone you want," he said;
"When do you want me to start?"

"See Mr. Pinnock and your brother about that. They will tell you all
about it; and if you do manage to find this man, why, you can talk about
leaving after that if you want to. Will you go for me?"

"Yes. I will go, Miss Grant; and I will never come back till I find this
man--if he is alive."

She laid her hand on his arm.

"I know you will do all you can," she said, "but in any case, whether
you find him or not--come back again!"

CHAPTER XXIV. THE SECOND SEARCH FOR CONSIDINE.

Before leaving Hugh was fully instructed what to do if he compassed the
second finding of Considine. He was to travel under another name,
for fear that his own would get about, and cause the fugitive to make
another hurried disappearance.

He took a subpoena to serve on the old man as a last resource.

Charlie was emphatic. "Go up and get hold of the old vagrant, and find
out all about it. Don't make a mess of it, whatever you do. Remember the
old lady,