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was the middle of the evening when Hepworth reached the cottage in which Elisabeth lived. The old woman who kept it was standing at the garden gate as he approached.

"Shoo's gone out," she said, before Hepworth could speak.

Hepworth paused, his hand on the gate-latch.

"Where?" he said.

"Naay, maistef, I doön't know. Shoo sed it wor a grand evenin', and shoo'd hev a bit on a walk. Shoo thowt ye wadn't be comin' so soon, happen."

"Which way did she go?" he asked.

"Shoo went up t' hill yonder," answered the