"But how did you know? It is a secret from the whole school. How did you manage to get possession of it?" said Christian.
"Ah! that is my affair. I can only say now that I am in possession of it, and can give you full particulars of your great adventure. The name of your little runaway friend is Rose Latimer; and another horrid girl called Judith Ford was implicated in the affair. Now, are you satisfied?"
"I see that you know, but I can't make out how you know."
"Be satisfied with that knowledge, for more you will not be told. Now, you have almost made up your mind, have you not, that you will not tell?"
"You have frightened me very much. I will think it over."
"Do, and to-morrow we will meet again. I won't stay with you now, for I know you are sleepy. Of course you will pay me."
"For what?"
"For my silence, dear—my silence. What you give me I shall spend on fondants for the next meeting of the Penwernians. Have you got any money handy?"
Poor Christian! A bright new sovereign lay on the dressing-table. At that very moment Susan's eyes fell upon it.