Langholm glanced at him in horror as they walked.

The broad brim of his Panama hat threw his face in shadow to the neck; but to Langholm's heated imagination, it was the shadow of the black cap and of the rope itself that he saw out of the corners of his eyes.

It was the shadow that had lit upon the wife the year before, happily to lift forever; now it was settling upon the husband; and it rested with Langholm--if it did rest with him--and how could he be sure?
His mind was off at a tangent.

He was not listening to Steel; without ceremony he interrupted at last.
"I thought you came out to listen to me ?" "My dear fellow," cried Steel, "and so, to be sure, I did! Why on earth did you let me rattle on?
Let me see--the point was--ah, yes! Of course, my dear Langholm, you haven't really anything of any account to tell?
I considered you a Quixote when you undertook your quest; but I shall begin to suspect a dash of Munchausen if you tell me you have found out anything in the inside of a week!" "Nevertheless," said Langholm, grimly, "I have." "Anything worth finding out ?" "I think so." "You don't mean to tell me you have struck a clew ?" "I believe I can lay hands upon the criminal," said Langholm, as quietly as he could.

But he was the more nervous man of the two.
The other simply stood still and stared his incredulity.