thought for a moment or two, recalled certain expressions on Daisy's
face, certain words which dropped from her lips, and, above all, a
look which had filled her pretty eyes on the one and only occasion
when they had met Dove together.

Noel began to feel more and more certain that this man, to whom he had
taken a great dislike, had something to say to all the child's misery.
Noel knew, however, that suspicion in such a case would be of little
avail--he must have certainty, and certainty could only be his by
cautious and wary movements.

Again he consulted his watch, and now he determined on a bold course.
He remembered that the girls had once told him that Dove was a painter
by trade, but that he seldom or never had anything to do. Noel was
extremely fastidious, and, if possible, almost over-refined in the
arrangements of his own home. He made his little plan with a sigh, but
he would have done more than this for the sake of pretty little Daisy.

Walking quickly, he soon found himself at the Doves' address in Eden
Street. His knock at the hall door was answered by Tommy Dove, who
assured him that both his father and mother were having high tea with
shrimps and watercresses in the back parlor.

Noel said he wanted to see Dove on business, and Tommy, remarking that
the back parlor was as good a place as any other for this purpose,
ushered the visitor in direct.

"I believe you are a painter," said Noel--"I have chambers at
Westminster, and want to have my balcony and front windows painted.
I've heard of you through the Miss Mainwarings, and as I'm in a hurry