Eve's Ransom

ement? The question occupied Hilliard well on into the small hours

Her behaviour in his company by no means supported such a surmise; yet

t: "You are going it, Eve!" and they stirred miserable doubts; yet something more than mere hope inclined him to believe that the girl's life was innocent. Her look, h

problem of which the interest would not easily be exhausted. But he must pursue the study with due regard to honour and delicacy; he would act th

walking homeward in the afternoon, he came face to face with Miss Mad

alk a little way w

a little handbag. "I suppose you have been going about London a gre

not sure that I

t of it all my life before I came here. I always

reeable emotion. Hilliard remarked a gleam in her eyes and a colour in her

eeling unable to join in her praise of Lond

Eve answered with a smile. "If it's fine I sh

pstead? Without shadow of constraint or affectation, Eve replied that such a meeting would

lings which Eve had excited in him. Her friendliness gave him no genuine satisfaction; her animated mood, in spite of the charm to which he submitted, disturbed

ght away with her was a newly published novel, and in the few words they exchanged on the subject while standing at the library counter she seemed to him to exhibit a surprising acquaintance with the

with volumes chosen from those which lay on the counter. He was tired

to converse with Patty, who was as gay and entertaining as ever. In the course of their gossip he learnt that Miss Ringrose was employed at a music-shop, kept by her uncle, where she sold the latest songs and dances, and "tried over" on a piano any unfamiliar piece which a customer might think of purchasing. It was not easy to

o'clock on Wednesday evening, as he sat at home over a book,

shes to see you, Sir. Mi

rd spr

sk her to

a manner he was too

you at the door, Sir, if y

light from the passage shone on Patty's face. In the

w your number-I've been to a l

nquired, going out

says she left this morning with her luggage-went away for good. And it's so strange th

red at the h

hatever about it. Co

ldn't mind

e moment; I'l

turned in the direction of Eust

est concern. "It has put me in such a fright. I haven't seen her since Sunday. I came to-night

anxious? What ha

ence for a moment, al at length, with one of he

t explain. But as you

by, and Pat