the earl had passed his word to him that it should be made so without his
arresting Mr. Elster, and he was off to London at once."

"And he has gone?"

Mr. Pike nodded significantly. "I watched him go; dodged him up to the
station and saw him off."

Then this one danger was over! Val might breathe freely again.

"And I thought you would like to know the coast was clear; so I came up
to tell you," concluded Pike.

"Thank you for your trouble," said Mr. Elster. "I shall not forget it."

"You'll remember it, perhaps, if a question arises touching that shed,"
spoke the man. "I may need a word sometime with Lord Hartledon."

"I'll remember it, Pike. Here, wait a moment. Is Thomas Pike your real
name?"

"Well, I conclude it is. Pike was the name of my father and mother. As to
Thomas--not knowing where I was christened, I can't go and look at the
register; but they never called me anything but Tom. Did you wish to know
particularly?"

There was a tone of mockery in the man's answer, not altogether
acceptable to his hearer; and he let him go without further hindrance.
But the man turned back in an instant of his own accord.