was disguised under a hood of the same material. Rather to Gurdon's
surprise, the girl had not called a cab. She was walking down the street
with a firm, determined step, as of one who knew exactly where she was
going, and meant to get there in as short a time as possible.

Gurdon followed cautiously at a distance. He was not altogether satisfied
in his own mind that his action was quite as straightforward as it might
have been. Still, he had given his promise, and he was not inclined to
back out of it now. For about a quarter of an hour he followed, until
Vera at length halted before a house somewhere in the neighborhood of
Grosvenor Square. It was a fine, large corner mansion, but so far as
Gurdon could see there was not a light in the place from parapet to
basement. He could see Vera going up the steps; he was close enough to
hear the sound of an electric bell; then a light blazed in the hall, and
the door was opened. So far as Gurdon could see, it was an old man who
opened the door; an old man with a long, grey beard, and a face lined and
scored with the ravages of time. All this happened in an instant. The
door was closed again, and the whole house left in darkness.

Gurdon paused, a little uncertain as to what to do next. He would have
liked, if possible, to be a little closer to Vera, for if there were any
dangers threatening her he would be just as powerless to help now as if
he had been in another part of the town. He walked slowly down the side
of the house, and noted that there was a line garden behind, and a small
green door leading to the lane. Acting on the impulse of the moment he
tried the door, which yielded to his touch. If he had been asked why he
did this thing he would have found it exceedingly difficult to reply.
Still, the thing was done, and Gurdon walked forward over the wide
expanse of lawn till he could make out at length a row of windows,
looking out from the back of the house. It was not so very easy to