"Have you anything especially important to do ?" "Yes," said Winston, and the girl understood the grimness of his face.

"I have." "It concerns the fire ?" Winston looked at her curiously.

"I would sooner you did not ask me that question, Miss Barrington." "I scarcely fancy it is necessary," said the girl, with a little smile.

"Still, I have something to tell you, and a favor to ask.
Ferris has left Silverdale, and you must never make any attempt to discover what caused the fire." "You know ?" "Yes," said Maud Barrington.

"Dane, Macdonald, and Hassal know, too, but you will not ask them, and if you did they would not tell you." "I can refuse you nothing," said Winston with a laugh, though his voice betrayed him.