ke, for I heard voices close by, and
I judged that some one was standing close to where I was. I was about
to get up, and make my way back to my billet, but I remained quite
still. I was arrested by a word, and that word was 'Edgecumbe.'

I did not realize that I was playing the part of an eaves-dropper, and
even if I had, I doubt if I should have made my presence known.
Anything to do with Edgecumbe had a strong interest for me.

The murmur of voices continued for some seconds without my being able
to detect another word. Then some one said distinctly:

'You say he has been down at our place to-night?'

'Yes,' was the reply, and I recognized St. Mabyn's voice; 'he called
about an hour before I got back.'

'What did he come for?' It was Springfield who spoke.

'Oh, that's all right. I asked him to look us up, and I expect that
he, being off duty, came down to smoke a pipe with us.'

'I don't like the fellow.'

'Neither do I.'

Again there was low murmuring for several seconds, not a word of which
reached me. Then I heard Springfield say: 'I shan't sleep soundly till
I'm sure.'

'You weren't convinced, then?'

'I didn't see him plainly,' was Springfield's reply. 'You see, I had
no business there, and we can't afford to arouse suspicions.'

'I tell you, Springfield,' and George St. Mabyn spoke as though he were
much perturbed, 'I don't like it. I was a fool to listen to you in the
first place. If you hadn't told me you were certain about it, and
that----'

'Come that won't do, George. We are both in it together; if I have
benefited, so have you, and neither of us can afford to have the affair
spoilt now. You are squire, and I am your friend, and you are going to
remain squire, whatever turns up, unless,' he added with a laugh, 'you
are potted in this show.'

'What do you mean by that?'

'I mean that if it is he, he must never go back to England alive. It
wouldn't do, my dear fellow.'

'But he remembers nothing. He doesn't even know his own name. He
doesn't know where he came from; he doesn't know what he did.'

'Yes, but if it is he, what would happen, if his memory suddenly came
back? Where should we be then? It won't bear thinking about!'

'But he knows nothing. Besides, who would take his word?'

'Are you sure Luscombe has no suspicions?' and Springfield asked the
question sharply.

'How can he have? and yet--oh hang it all, Springfield, it hangs like a
millstone round one's n