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 "And after that?" said Hepworth.

"I got down to Plymouth," continued Verrell. "There was money in the dead man's clothes, and I purchased a new outfit as soon as possible, and burnt his clothes lest anyone should recognise them. Then I went to sea in a ship bound for South America. I was out there sometime, but I came home at last because—because of Elisabeth. I ventured to go to Bristol and enquire after her, and then I tracked her to Clothford, and at Clothford I found the woman with whom she had worked, and learned that she was in your service. That's how I came here to-day. It was just chance that made us meet."

"Chance?" said Hepworth. "Chance?"

He began to laugh—Verrell shuddered to hear it; it was such soulless, despairing laughter. Suddenly Hepworth shook himself and turned to the door.

"Come!" he said, "No more talking—we must go."