gan to examine my hair and beard!
Of course she soon saw that it would come off; and then she laughed a
little to herself. 'Twenty pounds for this job,' she said--'and more
perhaps afterwards. I wonder what Mrs. Vane's up to now? I'll be off to
her first thing to-morrow morning. It's somebody she's got a spite
against, I'll be bound!' And then she went away and left me alone,
having done her work."

"So then you came away?"

"Not immediate, my girl. I was off at five o'clock this morning. I got
shaved at a little place in Gray's Inn Road--after disposing of my wig
and beard elsewhere, you know; and I bought this rig-out at two
different places in Holborn. Then I breakfasted at a coffee-stall and
came on here. They'll only just have found out that I've gone by now--if
indeed so soon--unless they have found it out accidental-like."

"The woman--Meldreth is her name?--would not know what to do without
consulting Mrs. Vane first, would she?"

"No. But then we don't know where Mrs. Vane is--she may have been in the
house all the time for aught we know."

"I think not," said Cynthia decisively. "She would have come herself to
look at you when Miss Meldreth was examining your hair if she had been
in the house."

"Well, perhaps she would. You've got a head on your shoulders,
Cynthia--that you have! Miss Meldreth would have to get to Mrs. Vane and
tell her this morning, as she said; then Mrs. Vane would let the police
know. That gives us till about eleven or twelve o'clock."

"Two hours' start. Is not that sufficient?"

Westwood shook his head.

"The first thing they will do is to telegraph to all the ports."

"But you look so different now, father! And I can make myself look quite
different too."

"You! Why, you don't suppose I am going to let you come with me?"

"Oh, yes, father dear, I cannot leave you now!"

"It would be madness, Cynthia. You are well known, and you would be too
easily recognised. Everybody turns to look at a handsome girl like you."

"If you can disguise yourself, so can I."

"We have not time for that. Besides, why do you want to leave England so
soon and so suddenly?"

"Oh, I don't--I don't!" said Cynthia, suddenly trembling and clinging to
him. "Only I can't bear the idea of your being without me now when you
are in danger."

"I can send for you, my lass, when I am safe. You will come then?"

"Yes, father."

"You'll come straight, without waiting for any good-byes or to tell any