francs. Liane said that she would remain in the neighbourhood till she got the money, which he promised to give her as soon as he received three months' rent in advance for the furnished villa, which he expected to have next day, from a man who wanted the house. Ernest wanted her to go back to London, but when she refused, he suggested her staying at the old View Tower, where she could remain secretly, and would not be too uncomfortable for a short time.
The Tower had been a favourite trysting-place with them in the days of their love-making, when Ernest—a socialist only in name—had been ashamed of his humble sweetheart. He had taken a key lent by Sir Ian Hereward to Barr, who supposed that he had mislaid it, had it copied, and returned the old key to Barr's cottage. Often Liane had met him there, and they had talked of future plans (which Ernest probably never meant to carry out) sitting in the upper room; and he still had the copy of the original key. Having persuaded Liane to lodge there for one night, he left her in the shelter of the woods, cycled to Deodar Lodge, found the key, took her to the Tower, and as it was then evening, told her he would come next day with the money. She in her turn promised not to show herself for his sake, because of the talk there had been after her disappearance; but in reality she was anxious not to be seen on her own account, fearing Lady Hereward had discovered the substitution of the
