gift of three shillings and sixpence for opium. Datchery, "with a
sudden change of countenance, gives her a sudden look." It does
not follow that he is NOT Drood, for, though the hag's love of
opium was known to Drood, Datchery is not to reveal his recognition
of the woman. He does what any stranger would do; he "gives a
sudden look," as if surprised by the mention of opium.

Mr. Walters says, "Drood would not have changed countenance on
hearing a fact he had known six months previously." But if Drood
was playing at being somebody else, he would, of course, give a
kind of start and stare, on hearing of the opium. When he also
hears from the hag that her former benefactor's name was Edwin, he
asks her how she knew that--"a fatuously unnecessary question,"
says Mr. Walters. A needless question for Datchery's information,
if he be Drood, but as useful a question as another if Drood be
Datchery, and wishes to maintain the conversation.


DATCHERY'S SCORE


Datchery keeps a tavern score of his discoveries behind a door, in
cryptic chalk strokes. He does this, says Mr. Walters, because,
being Helena, he would betray himself if he wrote in a female hand.
But nobody would WRITE secrets on a door! He adds "a moderate
stroke," after meeting the hag, though, says Mr. Walters, "Edwin
Drood would have learned nothing new whatever" from the hag.

But Edwin would have learned something quite new, and very
important--that the hag was hunting Jasper. Next day Datchery sees