knew she was alone in the house, and beyond the reach of any help; she
also realized that all the three French windows leading out to the
verandah were open; but, nevertheless, she showed a brave front.
Without rising from her seat, she looked the intruder straight in the
face.

'Perhaps, if you will make known your errand, I will comply with your
request. You are at present a perfect stranger to me.'

Her visitor smiled. He was an elderly man, with a stoop in his
shoulders, and a rather shabby great-coat buttoned tight up under his
chin.

'My errand might startle you,' he said; 'I wish to get at something in
the study cupboard.'

Poor Agatha's heart beat loudly. 'That you cannot do without the
owner's consent,' she replied sternly, 'and he is at present abroad.'

Then with a little old-fashioned bow the stranger took off his hat.

'No, madam, he is not abroad. He is before you!'

Agatha stared at him. She saw rather kindly-looking blue eyes peering
at her through thick shaggy eyebrows; a care-worn, smooth-shaven face,
with a very broad intellectual brow, and a smile that somehow or other
disarmed her suspicions.

'Are you--are you sure?' she faltered stupidly.

'Sure that my name is Thomas Lester, and that instead of being a tramp
or burglar molesting a lonely woman, I am now respectfully soliciting
admission into my own house? Yes, madam, I assure you on the honour of
a gentleman that I am no impostor!'

Agatha rose at once. 'Then please come in, and forgive my suspicions.
I never heard of your return.'

'No,' he said, stepping inside and quietly taking a seat; 'I came back
hurriedly, and did not wish my visit here to be known. That is why I
chose to come down from London to-day, for I knew my respected brother
would be safely and piously conducting his devotions in church. Have
you made his acquaintance, Miss Dane?'

'No, he has not called upon us.'

'And you have seen nothing of my son? Do you know my story? I see by
the book that you are reading that you must be a good woman. I know
you are a brave one by my reception. May I confide in you a little?'

Agatha looked up sympathetically.

'We do know something about you,' she said; 'quite enough to make us
feel very sorry for you.'

Mr. Lester then told her again much of what she had already heard, with
additions, which drew out her sympathy still more for him. He told her
that when he reached the farm where his son had been working