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"Rot! You can get all you want in Aldershot, Farnham or Portsmouth Come just as you are Mrs Bond will make all allowances"

"And probably have her suspicions aroused at the same time?"

"No, she won't This is a sudden trip into the country I told her you had been taken unwell--a nervous breakdown--and that the doctor had ordered you complete rest at once"

"I wish I had stayed in Monte Carlo and faced the charge againsthunted fro"

"Why did you go to that woh?" Benton asked "What business had you that led you to call at that hour upon such a notorious person?"

Hugh remained silent He saw that to tell Benton the truth would be to reopen the whole question of the will and of Louise

So he ed his shoulders

"Won't you tell h?" asked the elder man persuasively "I've seen Brock, but he apparently knows nothing"

"Of course he does not I was alone," was Hugh's answer "The least said about that night of horror the better, Benton"

So his father's friend left the house, while Hugh sought Mrs Mason, settled his bill with her, packed his re wardrobe into a suit-case, and half an hour later entered the heavy old limousine which he found at the end of the road

They took the ston, Cobharey afternoon they descended the steep hill through Guildford High Street, and crossing the bridge, instead of continuing along the road to Portsht, past the station, and up the steep wide road over that long hill, the Hog's Back, whence a great h-up ridge which in the sunshine gives such a wonderful view to motorists on their way out of London southward

Presently the car turned into the gravelled drive, and Hugh found hi-roo sun, for the sky had suddenly cleared, Mrs Bond entered, loud-voiced and merry

"Why, Mr Henfrey! I'm so awfully pleased to see you Charles telephoned to me that you were a bit out of sorts So you must stay with me for a little while--both of you It's very healthy up here on the Surrey hills, and you'll soon be quite right again"

"I'h said "London in these after the war days is quite i for the country Certainly your house is delightful," he added, looking round