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ask himself uneasily what errand she could have been on。
He hesitated for a moment； half expecting to see her return again；
or that there would be some other development； but he heard and saw
nothing。
He caught no further glimpse of Ella； whom the green depths of the
spinney hid well； and he heard no more shots。
After a little； he left the spot where he had been waiting and went
across to where he had seen her。
The exact spot where she had entered the spinney was marked； for
she had broken the branch of a young tree in brushing quickly by it；
and a bramble she had trodden on had not yet lifted itself from the
earth to which she had pressed it。
By other signs like these； plain enough and easy to read … for she
had hurried on in great haste and without care； almost； indeed； as
one who fled from some great danger or from some dreadful sight；
and who had no thought to spare save for flight alone … he followed
the way she had gone till it took him to a beaten public path that
almost at once led over a stile to the high road which passed in
front of Bittermeads。 Along this beaten path； trodden by many；
Ella's light foot had left no perceptible mark； and Dunn made no
attempt to track her further； since it seemed certain that she had
been simply hurrying back home。
〃She was badly frightened over something or another；〃 he said to
himself。 〃She never stopped once； she went as straight and quick
as she could。 I wonder what upset her like that？〃
He went back the way he had come； and at the spot where he had seen
her enter the spinney he set to work to pick up her trail in the
direction whence she had appeared； for he thought that if he followed
it he might find out what had been the cause of her evident alarm。
The ground was much more open here； and the trail correspondingly
more difficult to follow； for often there was little but a trodden
blade of grass to show where she had passed； and sometimes； where
the ground was bare and hard； there was no visible sign left at all。
Once or twice at such places he was totally at fault； but by casting
round in a wide circle like a dog scenting his prey he was able to
pick up her tracks again。
They seemed to lead right into the depths of the wood； through lonely
spots that only the keepers knew； and where others seldom came。
But that he was on the right trail he presently had proof； for on
the bank of a lovely and hidden dell he picked up a tiny embroidered
handkerchief with the initials 〃E。 C。〃 worked in one corner。
It had evidently been lying there only a very short time； for it
was perfectly clean and fresh； and he picked it up and held it for
a moment in his hands； smiling to himself with pleasure at its
daintiness and smallness； and yet still uneasily wondering why she
had come here； and why she had fled away again so quickly。
The morning was very fine and calm； though in the west heavy clouds
were gathering and seemed to promise rain soon。 But overhead the
sun shone brightly； the air was calm and warm； and the little dell
on whose verge he stood a very pretty and pleasant place。
A small stream wandered through it； the grass that carpeted it was
green and soft； near by a great oak stood alone and spread its
majestic branches far out on every side to give cool shelter from
the summer heat。
The thought occurred to Dunn that this was just such a pretty and
secluded spot as two lovers might choose to exchange their vows in；
and the thought stung him intolerably as he wondered whether it was
for such a reason that Ella had come here。
But if so； why had she fled away again in such strange haste？
He walked on slowly for a yard or two； not now attempting to follow
Ella's trail； for he had the impression that this was her
destination； and that she had gone no further than here。
All at once he caught sight of the form of a man lying hidden in
the long grass that nearly covered him from view just where the
far…spreading branches of the great oak ceased to give their shade。
At first Dunn thought he was sleeping； and he was just about to
call out to him when something in the rigidity of the man's position
and his utter stillness struck him unpleasantly。
He went quickly to the man's side； and the face of dead John Clive；
supine and still； stared up at him from unseeing eyes。
He had been killed by a charge of small shot fired at such close
quarters that his breast was shot nearly in two and his clothing
and flesh charred by the burning powder。
But Dunn； standing staring down at the dead man； saw not him； but
Ella。 Ella fleeing away silently and furtively through the trees
as from some sight or scene of guilt and terror。
He stooped closer over the dead man。 Death had been instantaneous。
Of course there could be no doubt。 From one hand a piece of folded
paper had fallen。
Dunn picked it up； and saw that there was writing on it； and he
read it over slowly。
〃Dear Mr。 Clive； … Can you meet me as before by the oak
tomorrow at eleven？ There is something I very much want to
say to you。 … Yours sincerely；
〃ELLA CAYLEY。〃
Was that； then； the lure which had brought John Clive to meet his
death？ Was this the bait that had made him disregard the warnings
he had received； and come alone to so quiet and solitary a spot？
Dunn had a moment of quick envy of him； he lay so quiet and still
in the warm sunshine； with nothing to trouble or distress him any
more for ever。
Then； stumblingly and heavily； Dunn turned an went away； and his
eyes were very hard； his bearded face set like iron。
Like a man in a dream； or one obsessed by some purpose before which
all other things faded into nothingness； he went his way； the way
Ella had taken in her flight … through the wood； through the spinney
to the public foot…path； and then out on the road that led to
Bittermeads。
When he entered the garden there； he saw Ella sitting quietly on a
deck…chair close to her mother； quietly busy with some fancy work。
He could not believe it； he stood watching in bewilderment；
appalled and wondering； watching her white hands flashing busily
to and fro； hearing the soft murmur of her voice as now and then she
addressed some remark to her mother； who nodded drowsily in the
sunshine over a book open on her knees。
Ella was dressed all in white； she had flung aside her hat； and the
quiet breeze played in her fair hair； and stirred gently a stray
curl that had escaped across her broad low brow。
The picture was one of gentleness and peace and an innocence that
thought no wrong； and yet with his own eyes he had seen her not
an hour ago fleeing with hurried steps and fearful looks from the
spot where lay a murdered man。
Somewhat unsteadily； for he felt so little master of himself； it
was as though he had no longer even control of his own limbs； Dunn
stumbled forward； and Ella looked up and saw him； and saw also that
he was looking at her very strangely。
She rose and came towards him； her needlework still in her hands。
〃What is the matter？〃 she said in a voice of some concern。 〃Are
you ill？〃
〃No；〃 he answered。 〃No。 I'v