d:

"May she not simply have changed her lodgings?"

"Why should she go so suddenly, and without letting me know?"

"What had the landlady to say?"

"She heard her tell the cab to drive to Mudie's--the library, you know."

"Why," said Hilliard; "that meant, perhaps, that she wanted to return a
book before leaving London. Is there any chance that she has gone
home--to Dudley? Perhaps her father is ill, and she was sent for."

Patty admitted this possibility, but with every sign of doubt.

"The landlady said she had a letter this morning."

"Did she? Then it may have been from Dudley. But you know her so much
better than I do. Of course, you mustn't tell me anything you don't
feel it right to speak of; still, did it occur to you that I could be
of any use?"

"No, I didn't think; I only came because I was so upset when I found
her gone. I knew you lived in Gower Place somewhere, and I thought you
might have seen her since Sunday."

"I have not. But surely you will hear from her very soon. You may even
get a letter tonight, or to-morrow morning."

Patty gave a little spring of hopefulness.

"Yes; a letter might come by the last post to-night. I'll go home at
once."

"And I will come with you," said Hilliard. "Then you can tell me
whether you have any news."

They turned and walked towards the foot of Hampstead Road, whence they
could go by tram-car to Patty's abode in High Street, Camden Town.
Supported by the hope of finding a letter when she arrived, Miss
Ringrose grew more like herself.

"You must have wondered what _ever_ I meant by calling to see you, Mr.
Hilliard. I went to five or six houses before I hit on the right one. I
do wish now that I'd waited a little, but I'm always doing things in
that way and being sorry for them directly after. Eve is my best
friend, you know, and that makes me so anxious about her."

"How long have you known her?"

"Oh, ever so long--about a year."

The temptation to make another inquiry was too strong for Hilliard.

"Where has she been employed of late?"

Patty looked up at him with surprise.

"Oh, don't you know? She isn't doing anything now. The people where she
was went bankrupt, and she's been out of a place for more than a month."

"Can't find another engagement?"

"She hasn't tried yet. She's taking a holiday. It isn't very nice work,
adding up money all day. I'm sure it would drive me out of my senses
very soon. I think she might find something bette