r than that."

Miss Ringrose continued to talk of her friend all the way to Camden
Town, but the information he gathered did not serve to advance Hilliard
in his understanding of Eve's character. That she was keeping back
something of grave import the girl had already confessed, and in her
chatter she frequently checked herself on the verge of an indiscretion.
Hilliard took for granted that the mystery had to do with the man he
had seen at Earl's Court. If Eve actually disappeared, he would not
scruple to extract from Patty all that she knew; but he must see first
whether Eve would communicate with her friend.

In High Street Patty entered a small shop which was on the point of
being closed for the night.

Hilliard waited for her a few yards away; on her return he saw at once
that she was disappointed.

"There's nothing!"

"It may come in the morning. I should like to know whether you hear or
not."

"Would this be out of your way?" asked Patty. "I'm generally alone in
the shop from half-past one to half-past two. There's very seldom any
business going on then."

"Then I will come to-morrow at that time."

"Do, please? If I haven't heard anything I shall be that nervous."

They talked to no purpose for a few minutes, and bade each other
good-night.

Next day, at the hour Patty had appointed, Hilliard was again in High
Street. As he approached the shop he heard from within the jingle of a
piano. A survey through the closed glass door showed him Miss Ringrose
playing for her own amusement. He entered, and Patty jumped up with a
smile of welcome.

"It's all right! I had a letter this morning. She _has_ gone to Dudley."

"Ah! I am glad to hear it. Any reason given?"

"Nothing particular," answered the girl, striking a note on the piano
with her forefinger. "She thought she might as well go home for a week
or two before taking another place. She has heard of something in
Holborn."

"So your alarm was groundless."

"Oh--I didn't really feel alarmed, Mr. Hilliard. You mustn't think
that. I often do silly things."

Patty's look and tone were far from reassuring. Evidently she had been
relieved from her suspense, but no less plainly did she seek to avoid
an explanation of it. Hilliard began to glance about the shop.

"My uncle," resumed Patty, turning with her wonted sprightliness to
another subject, "always goes out for an hour or two in the middle of
the day to play billiards. I can tell by his face when