"What is it?" he inquired, going out on to the doorstep.

"I called to see Eve, and--I don't know what it meant, but she's
gone away. The landlady says she left this morning with her luggage
--went away for good. And it's so strange that she hasn't let me
know anything. I can't understand it. I wanted to ask if you know
----"

Hilliard stared at the house opposite.

"I? I know nothing whatever about it. Come in and tell me----"

"If you wouldn't mind coming out----"

"Yes, yes. One moment; I'll get my hat."

He rejoined the girl, and they turned in the direction of Euston
Square, where people were few.

"I couldn't help coming to see you, Mr. Hilliard," said Patty, whose
manner indicated the gravest concern. "It has put me in such a
fright. I haven't seen her since Sunday. I came to-night, as soon as
I could get away from the shop, because I didn't feel easy in my
mind about her."

"Why did you feel anxious? What has been going on?"

He search her face. Patty turned away, kept silence for a moment, al
at length, with one of her wonted outbursts of confidence, said
nervously: