At Johnny's shabby little rooming house, he finds Johnny but not Julia's father, who is out drinking. Johnny tells him that no one knows exactly where Julia is; they received a letter from her saying that she had left the Van Heigens and got another position, but it didn't say where that position is. Rawson-Clew is incredulous that her family isn't more concerned, but Johnny explains that they're just relieved that she's not coming home right now. Realizing that he's not going to be able to find Julia, Rawson-Clew leaves, asking Johnny to contact him if he finds out where she is, or thinks that she's in any trouble.
Later Rawson-Clew is traveling by train and meets up with a young society lady of his acquaintance. While they chat, and he listens to her witty, frothy conversation, R-C recalls his conversations with Julia. He reflects that, while the young lady he's with would certainly fit more gracefully in a drawing room, Julia would be a better and more interesting companion if he was traveling anywhere.
Once there, she finds to her dismay that her family's financial position is even worse than it had been, due to all the money they'd spent trying to marry off Cherie. They are deeply in debt, and in danger of losing their house. Learning of Julia's inheritance, they expect her to cash it in and put the money towards their debts. She refuses, but realizes that she's going to have to do something to prevent their total ruin. She comes up with a plan, but realizes bitterly that it will not leave any money with which to repay Rawson-Clew. The plan is this: Julia will go to live on the farm, taking her father and Johnny Gillat with her, to keep her father away from alcohol and gambling. They will live off of the food produced by the farm, as much as possible. Cherie is getting married and moving to South Africa, and their mother will go to live with Violet and her husband. The house and its contents are sold and used to pay off as many debts as possible, with their meager monthly income used as much as possible to slowly pay down the rest of the debt. The family agrees to Julia's plan- they have no choice- but they resent her forcing them to change their lifestyle. Her mother and Violet are particularly embarrassed by Julia's determination to become a farmer, and to ease their shame for the Polkington name, Julia goes by the surname 'Snooks' in the rural community.
Meanwhile, the box has been delivered and Rawson-Clew is shocked when he opens it to find the formula and explosive sample. Although there is no name or return address on the box, he is convinced that it was sent by Julia. He also comes to a realization about his feelings for Julia, and the reason why she keeps invading his thoughts at odd times. He goes to Johnny Gillat's rooms, only to find that he has gone, leaving no forwarding address. R-C then goes to the Polkington's home, only to find that it's been sold. He manages to locate Mrs. Polkington and writes to her at Violet's, asking for Julia's address. Ashamed of Julia's present position, Mrs. Polkington declines to give it to him, to his anger and frustration. Before he can take further action, however, the government sends him abroad on an assignment, so he has to give up the search for the present.