CHAPTER XXXII.
A RED TRACK.
When the train arrived at King’s Cross, Crossley was waiting on the platform. A quick glance showed him Nancy’s pale face in the window of a first-class compartment. He went forward to meet her.
“Thank you for answering my letter so promptly, Mrs. Rowton,” he said. “I have a carriage outside; may I take you at once to my house?”
At this moment Lady Georgina touched Nancy on the arm.
“Introduce me to the gentleman,” she said.
“Mr. Crossley, Lady Georgina Strong,” said Nance.
Crossley bowed. Lady Georgina favoured him with an intensely earnest glance. She saw a man of middle height, dressed in the correct garb of an ordinary gentleman. He had a pleasant face, and looked eminently respectable.
“Lady Georgina has been kind enough to accompany me to town, Mr. Crossley,” said Mrs. Rowton.
“Yes,” said Lady Georgina, “I have come with this lady because she is too young and inexperienced to take care of herself—also because her husband left her in my charge. She says that she has come up to London on receipt of a letter. May I ask, sir, if you are the writer?”
“I am, madam. I am anxious to see Mrs. Rowton on a private matter of much importance.”