Nell of Shorne Mills

"Yes, yes," said Nell.

"And did you see his lordship, our all-puissant earl, my child?"

"Yes," she said, beginning to tremble--but, indeed, she had been

trembling all through the conversation. How should she be able to get

away from the house--the place which belonged to Drake? "Yes, I saw him.

Dick, did a man--a man with a slight figure something like yours--pass

you just before we came up?"

"No," he said.

"Are you sure? He must have passed by you."

"A figure like mine, did you say? Yes; I'm quite sure he didn't. I have

too keen an eye for grace of form to let such a figure pass unnoticed."

"It may have been a servant or one of the guests," Falconer said.

"Oh, draw it mild!" remonstrated Dick. "Do I look like a flunkey or a

groom? What is it you think you have seen?"

"A man was standing looking in at one of the windows of the inner side

of the wing," said Nell. "We thought it was you; but, when Mr. Falconer

called, the man, whoever he was, turned and walked into the shrubbery."

"A 'particular friend' of one of the maids, I dare say," remarked Dick

easily. "And I've no doubt you have broken up a very enjoyable spooning.

Now, would you like----Now what is it?"

For Nell had stopped short, and had seized his arm.

"There!" she exclaimed, in a whisper. "There he is again--that is the

man!"

They had come to the lodge by this time, and Nell was gazing rather

nervously toward the big gates.

"Where?" asked Dick. "I can see no one. Nell, you have had too much

champagne. You'll be seeing snakes presently if you don't mind. Where is

he?"

Nell laughed, but a little shakily.

"He has gone, of course. He went quickly through the gate."

"And why shouldn't he?" said Dick, with a yawn. "Oh, Falconer! when I

think of the cool tankard into which I shall presently plunge my

beak----What's come to you, Nell? It isn't like you to 'get the

nerves.'"