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taken a job in another part of the district—but I know it’s more sensible to accept their offer.”

There was something Ann wanted to know, but she would not mention it. Money affairs she could discuss with him, but not his wife. She wondered if Vera would return—or if she would follow Waring to Australia. Ann was convinced in her own mind that it was not at Waring’s instigation that Vera had left her husband. She had been driven frantic by her lover’s wish to bring his intimacy with her to an end. It would be like her to make a desperate bid for his return.

“Vera has gone to Wellington,” he said suddenly. “McMurray came into the club last night. He saw her on the Hawkeston railway platform yesterday morning. She talked of going on to Australia. Of course, McMurray thought I knew...I pretended I did.”

He spoke in short, abrupt sentences. Ann searched his face for any sign of suspicion. Waring had gone by way of Auckland; and Vera to Wellington; but from both ports steamers sailed to Sydney. No, she decided, he still did not connect Vera’s flight with Waring’s departure. There was misery in his eyes, but neither jealousy nor anger. She could think of no comment to make on his news, and after a moment he went on:

“I’m not going to try and thank you for all you’ve done. Biddy and Jo are better at Mrs. Marley’s until after...the bankruptcy. I’ll see that you get the money back as soon as possible.”

“For goodness’ sake don’t worry about that. Come and look at my premises.”