Here they separated, the servant driving Mrs. Solent towards Miss Gault’s house, while Wolf turned up the street with the intention of paying a visit to the Smiths.

The door was opened for him by Mattie herself; and the brother and sister embraced affectionately, as soon as they were alone in the cool, dark, musty hall.

“Dad is out,” she whispered, “and we’ve only one servant now.”

“One servant?” he echoed, as she led him, with her finger on her lip, into the empty dining-room.

“Olwen’s upstairs playing,” she said in a low voice.

It was clear to him that she was anxious that the child should not hear his voice; so he shut the door very quietly and they sat down together on two red leather chairs.