"How do you know this?" asked Mr. Elster.
"This way," was the answer. "I was hovering about outside that shed of mine, and I saw the encounter at the parson's gate—for that's where it took place. The first thing the fellow did when it was all over was to bolt across the road, and accuse me of purposely misleading him. 'Not a bit of it,' said I; 'if I did mislead you, it was unintentional, for I took the one who came over the bridge on Saturday to be Lord Hartledon, safe as eggs. But they have been down here only a week,' I went on, 'and I suppose I don't know 'em apart yet.' I can't say whether he believed me; I think he did; he's a soft sort of chap. It was all right, he said: the earl had passed his word to him that it should be made so without his arresting Mr. Elster, and he was off to London at once."
"And he has gone?"
Mr. Pike nodded significantly. "I watched him go; dodged him up to the station and saw him off."
Then this one danger was over! Val might breathe freely again.
"And I thought you would like to know the coast was clear; so I came up to tell you," concluded Pike.
"Thank you for your trouble," said Mr. Elster. "I shall not forget it."
"You'll remember it, perhaps, if a question arises touching that shed," spoke the man. "I may need a word sometime with Lord Hartledon."
"I'll remember it, Pike. Here, wait a moment. Is Thomas Pike your real name?"
"Well, I conclude it is. Pike was the name of my father and mother. As to Thomas—not knowing where I was christened, I can't go and look at the register; but they never called me anything but Tom. Did you wish to know particularly?"