nothing turned up. But the
other night a young woman walked several times by your house, and went
away with a sigh. She had a sort of Protestant nun's dress on, and a
thick veil. Now you know Mr Carden told you she was gone into a convent.
I am almost sure it is the lady."

Little thanked him with all his soul, and then inquired eagerly where
the nun lived.

"Ah, my man didn't know that. Unfortunately, he was on duty in the
street, and had no authority to follow anybody. However, if you can keep
yourself calm, and obey orders--"

"I will do anything you tell me."

"Well, then, this evening, as soon as it is quite dark, you do what
I have seen you do in happier times. Light your reading-lamp, and sit
reading close to the window; only you must not pull down the blind.
Lower the venetians, but don't turn them so as to hide your face from
the outside. You must promise me faithfully not to move under any
circumstances, or you would be sure to spoil all."

Little gave the promise, and performed it to the letter. He lighted
his lamp, and tried to read book after book; but, of course, he was too
agitated to fix his attention on them. He got all Grace's letters, and
read them; and it was only by a stern effort he kept still at all.

The night wore on, and heart-sickness was beginning to succeed to
feverish impatience, when there was a loud knock at the door. Little
ran to it himself, and found a sergeant of police, who told him in a low
voice he brought a message from the chief-constable.

"I was to tell you it is all right; he is following the party himself.
He will call on you at twelve to-morrow morning."

"Not before that?" said Little. However, he gave the sergeant a
sovereign for good news, and then, taking his hat, walked twenty miles
out of Hillsborough, and back, for he knew it was useless his going to
bed, or trying to settle to any thing.

He got back at ten o'clock, washed, breakfasted, and dozed on two
chairs, till Ransome came, with a carpet-bag in his hand.

"Tell me all about it: don't omit any thing." This was Little's
greeting.

"Well, sir, she passed the house about nine o'clock, walking quickly;
and took just one glance in at your window, but did not stop. She came
back in half an hour, and stood on the opposite side of the way, and
then passed on. I hid in a court, where she couldn't see me. By-and-by
she comes back, on your side the way this time, gliding like a cat, and
she crouched and curle