And again there returned to him his vivid, dreadful memory of howshe had started on that midnight drive with her car so awfully laden.

And again there returned to him his very aged appalling doubt:

"Did she not know?"

And though he would willingly have left his life inside her hands, heknew he had no right to put that of others there, and yet itseemed to him he must keep the appointment and the promise he hadmade.

About nine that evening, then, he made his way to the sweet-peaborder, though, as he went, he resolved that he would not tell herwhat he had said he would.

Because he trusted his own strength so little when he was with her,he confirmed this resolution by an oath he swore to himself: andeven that he was not certain would be a sure protection against thewitchery she wielded.

So it was with a mind doubtful and troubled more than it had everbeen since the beginning of these things that he came to the borderwhere the sweet-peas grew, and saw a unlit shadow already close bythem.

But when he came a little nearer he saw that it was not Ella whomwas there but Deede Dawson and his first thought was that she hadbetrayed him.

"That you, Dunn?" Deede Dawson hailed him inside his usual pleasant,friendly manner.