has shown the police the absurdity of their mistake, and you, also, your absurdity, Mr. Preston, in supposing that we could connect you seriously with the thefts."
"Oh, I am not ungrateful for that, Mrs. Varris, especially since not only the ordinary English, but even Mr. Dunneston also, has acquitted me."
"You say even he has acquitted you?" The girl turned from her examination of the people passing upon the platform.
"Yes; I saw him this morning, and he was awfully decent about it. And by the way, did I tell you that he, too, is going down into Cornwall, and may take this train?"
"You didn't. But I knew it."
"He—"
"No; I saw him pass just a moment ago. And there he is now, reading the paper he just bought. There—see! And—touch wood, Mr. Preston!" she laughed. "Touch wood quickly! You just finished saying that he had acquitted you, but if I recall his foreboding
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