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48 BLACK SHEEP.man of stronger will ancl tougher material thanshe altogether liked to deal with,crossed hermind,she would dismiss it with the reflection that suchearnestness yvas very flattering ancl very excitingfor a time, and the duration of that time was entirely-withinher choice and discretion.Stewart Routh stood at the window thinkinghurriedly and confusedly of these things. Thereyvas a strange fear over him, yvith all his assurance,with all the security which he affirmed overand over again to himself, and backed up with aresolution which he had determined from the firstto conceal from Harriet." If my own safety positively demands it," hethought, "Jim's evidence about the note will beuseful, and the payment to the landlady w-ill betolerably conclusive.Dallas told Harriet the iniitialsyvere A.F.Iwonder it never occurred tome at the time."Presently he heard Harriet's step in the corridor.It paused for amoment at the sitting-room,then passed on, and she went out. She was closelyveiled, and did not turn her head towards theyvindow as she went by. Routh drew nearer and