The Telegram. — 1900-05-08 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

CHAPTER XXXIL ON TWO TRACK.  I now felt myself to be in possession of evidence almost sufficient to clear Consuelo of the latest accusation which had been put upon her, and I wanted to be away. But Paula had fainted, and I could not leave her until I knew that she was being tended, and likely to recover. "I went out and caught your horse, sir, as he was going off," said the herb-woman, as I found her among the trophies of her trade in the adjoining room. "My boy's bolding him for you." I thanked her, and remained for a few momenta until Paula was able to understand my assurance that I would return to her, and then I went to find my horse. The boy looked up to me with bright gipsy eyes as he pocketed my half-crown. 'I expect you'd give me sornethin' more, gnv!nor," said he, "if I telled yer what else I know. Was you lookin' for a tall, fair lady? —yon knows what one I mean." To save time in bargaining—at which he was an adept—l took a sovereign from my pocket. "Speak out, and you shall have it ,5 I returned.  "She was at this house a bit ago. Only mother and me knew, not she in there " motioning towards the chintz curtains. "She bought somethin' that mother keeps pretty dark, and by the queer white look on her face it popped into my head she wanted it for herself.  "What do yon mean ? " But I knew what his answer would be: "Poison!" This was what she had meant, then, when she looked at me so wistfully in Gordon's chambers as she murmured something which sounded like "Good-bye." I did not greatly doubt the truth either of the boy's statement or surmise.  What wonder if she caught eagerly at the !des of death as the one avenue open for her! Suicide was cowardly. I had heard her say 90 one day in speaking of some case we had been discussing : but she had said, too: "Circumstances alter cases, perhaps." Now she had found the truth which lay in the proverb, then so lightly quoted. To put herself out of the way, before her friends hearts might be made to ache for her fate, before their pride might be wounded by the publicity which they must share with her—she would argue—could not be cowardly. In her place, I told myself, I alight take the same step. If only I knew where she had hidden herself! If it were not yet too late to let her know that the sacrifice was not needed—that her innocence was known!  "Ifsw long is it since she left here?" "About an hour before you came, gin-nor." An hour! What might not have happened in that time! And 1 had been with Paula auothor hour since.  One more question, end he could help me no further.  "Do you know which way she went?" Lest the uncanny elf should delay me with further bargaining, I flung more money at him, catching him by the thin shoulder when he would have stooped to pick it up. "Afterwards—not now!" I commanded ; and he yielded to my grasp, if not my words. "Straight to Loris Abbey as fast as ever she could go," he asserted. "But she didn't go in by the front door. She hurried round the lawn, and stepped through a window that stood open—a window all made of painted glass. I waited awhile, and presently in that little round window, most op to the top, I seen her lookin' down for a minute. The sun was shinin' on her hair till she drew it in; and though I hung round for a bit I didn't see her any more.  I paused for no more questions, but, vaulting on to the horse's back, r lashed him fiercely. A fantastic and terrible thought was taking form within my mind. The seed of it had been sown by the boy's words. It seemed to me that ;here was only one reason why, having reached the Abbey, the Woman in Grey should quickly mount to the space above my room in the tower —the space sacred to the works of the great clock, and to them alone. There was some secret there—some secret which she only knew and could make use of; perhaps a hiding-place where she might take refuge, and die with an impenetrable veil of mystery for ever shut down between her and the outside world.  I cursed my stupidity and dilatoriness now that I had not long, long ago, before the days of fierce anxiety and trouble had come upon us, studied the chart which the Woman in Grey had given me. I had always tneani and wished to do so. But time had gone. and the chart had remained forgotten until now, when it might be too late.  Once in the house, bound for the beginning of my quest, a sudden thought stopped me. I rang the bell near the stairway, and sent for Wemyss. who was always to be trusted. Of loin I inquired for Ilaynes-Havilancl. Was he :till in the house?  He was, Wemyss informed me, and very seriously unwell Mr. Hasbrouck had pronounced him. He had some chronic trouble with the heart, which had now given him a sharp turn, owing to the shock of his fall. "Lies! lies!" I said to myself. Eut aloud I inquired whether Mr. Haynes-Har land had been informed of my return to the Abbey some  hours previous. "I think not, sir, " said Wemyss. "He hasn't his own man with him, and our servants don't go often to his rooms." "I should prefer that he should not know I tar. come hack," I directed.