word on his own part, made an extraordinary answer. "Leave it," he
said. "Leave it till tomorrow."

"Why?" the clerk answered, without ceremony.

Mr. Ronald made another extraordinary answer. "Because I am obliged to
go out of town for the day. Look after the business. The ironmonger's
man over the way will help you to put up the shutters at night. If
anybody inquires for me, say I shall be back tomorrow." With those
parting directions, heedless of the effect that he had produced on the
clerk, he looked at his watch, and left the shop.


IV

The bell which gave five minutes' notice of the starting of the
Ramsgate train had just rung.

While the other travellers were hastening to the platform, two persons
stood passively apart as if they had not even yet decided on taking
their places in the train. One of the two was a smart young man in a
cheap travelling suit; mainly noticeable by his florid complexion, his
restless dark eyes, and his profusely curling black hair. The other was
a middle-aged woman in frowsy garments; tall and stout, sly and sullen.
The smart young man stood behind the uncongenial-looking person with
whom he had associated himself, using her as a screen to hide him while
he watched the travellers on their way to the train. As the bell rang,
the woman suddenly faced her companion, and pointed to the railway
clock.