CHAPTER II.
"What have we here?
A carrion death!" _Merchant of Venice_, Act ii.Sc.

7.
IT was about this time that the stranger deemed it advisable to commence his retreat.

The slight and suppressed sound of voices, which at first he had heard above in the conversation of the father and child, had died away.

The stillness at once encouraged and warned him.

He stole to the front door, softly undid the bolt, and found the door locked, and the key missing.