," Hull went on. "Clare hadn't been
there. Then--I knew. So I went to the one place--that was likely----"

"You mean----" asked Farvel. "Oh, not that! Not that!"

"She was there. She'd spoken about the river. That's why I was sure."

"The river!" gasped Sue. "Oh, what are you saying?"

"She'd done as she said," answered Hull, quietly.

Sue sank to a bench. "Oh, that cry of hers, yesterday!" she reminded,
breaking down. "Do you remember, Mr. Farvel? When she saw you--'It's
all over! It's all over!' Oh, why did I let her out of my sight!"

"It's my fault," declared Hull, hoarsely. "I was too hard on her. Too
hard." He turned away.

Farvel went to him and held out his hand. Hull took it, and they stood
in silence for a long moment. Then Hull drew back. There was a queer,
distorted smile on his face. "This comes of a man's thinking he's
smart," he declared. "I wanted to show her I was on--instead of
letting her explain it all to me. But I've always been like that--too
smart--too smart." He turned and went out, walking unsteadily.

It was Sue who broke the news to Hattie. And when the latter had left
to rejoin her mother at the hotel (for it was agreed that it would be
better if Farvel and the girl did not see each other again until
later). Sue came back into the Close--to wait for Barbara.

She waited beside the dial. There was nothing girl-like in her
posture. Her shoulders were as bent as Hull's had been. The high
color was gone from her face. And the gray eyes showed no look of
youth. She felt forsaken, and old, and there was an ache in her throat.

"Well, the poor trapped soul is gone," she said presently, out loud to
herself. She looked down at the dial. "Time is not for her any more.
But rest--and peace."

What changes had come while just these last twenty-four hours were
flying! while the shadow on that dial had made its single turn!

"And here you are, Susan, high and dry." She had wept for another; she
laughed at herself. "Here you are, as Ikey says, 'All fixed up, und by
your lonesomes.' But never mind any lamentations, Susan." For her
breast was heaving in spite of herself. "Your hands are free--don't
forget that? And you can do l-l-l-lots of helpful things--for your
pocket is lined. And there must be something ahead for you, Susan!
There must be s-s-s-something!"

"Miss Susan!" Someone had come from the drawing-room.

"Dora!" But she kept her face turned