he train was on the point of starting, and two or three passengers who
were late were clustering round the small opening through which the
tickets were issued. I joined them, and distinctly heard the lawyer's
clerk demand a ticket for the Blackwater station. I satisfied myself
that he had actually left by the train before I came away.

There was only one interpretation that I could place on what I had just
seen and heard. I had unquestionably observed the man leaving a house
which closely adjoined Mrs. Catherick's residence. He had been probably
placed there, by Sir Percival's directions, as a lodger, in
anticipation of my inquiries leading me, sooner or later, to
communicate with Mrs. Catherick. He had doubtless seen me go in and
come out, and he had hurried away by the first train to make his report
at Blackwater Park, to which place Sir Percival would naturally betake
himself (knowing what he evidently knew of my movements), in order to
be ready on the spot, if I returned to Hampshire. Before many days
were over, there seemed every likelihood now that he and I might meet.

Whatever result events might be destined to produce, I resolved to
pursue my own course, straight to the end in view, without stopping or
turning aside for Sir Percival or for any one. The great
responsibility which weighed on me heavily in London--the
responsibility of so guiding my slightest actions as to prevent them
from leading accidentally to the discovery of Laura's place of
refuge--was removed, now that I was in Hampshire. I could go and come
as I pleased at Welmingham, and if I chanced to fail in observing any
necessary precautions, the immediate results, at least, would affect no
one but myself.

When I left the station the winter evening was beginning to close in.
There was little hope of continuing my inquiries after dark to any
useful purpose in a neighbourhood that was strange to me. Accordingly,
I made my way to the nearest hotel, and ordered my dinner and my bed.
This done, I wrote to Marian, to tell her that I was safe and well, and
that I had fair prospects of success. I had directed her, on leaving
home, to address the first letter she wrote to me (the letter I
expected to receive the next morning) to "The Post-Office, Welmingham,"
and I now begged her to send her second day's letter to the same
address.

I could easily receive it by writing to the postmaster if I happened to
be away from the town when it arrived.

T