"But——" said Stella.
"No, no," he reiterated; "I don't want him to know. It will only trouble him, and"—his voice faltered—"I have given him so much trouble."
"Very well," said Stella. "But come along or you will be ill, and then he must know."
This appeared to have the desired effect, and he took her hand and set off at a run. They reached the lane, and were just turning into it, when the tall, thin figure of Jasper emerged.
Both Stella and Frank stopped, and she felt his hand close in hers tightly.
"Stella, here's that man Adelstone," he said, in a whisper of aversion. "Must we stop?"
Jasper settled that question by raising his hat, and coming forward with outstretched hand.
"Good-evening!" he said, his small, keen eyes glancing from Stella to the boy, and taking in the fact of the wet clothes in a moment.
"What is the matter?"
"Nothing much," said Stella with a smile, and hurriedly. "My cousin has fallen into the water. We are hurrying home."