in the form of common
rumor. The man referred to is the special faro expert, a fellow named
Farnham."

Miss Norvell started violently, her fingers clutching his arm as if to
keep her body from falling, her face grown suddenly white.

"Farnham, did you say? What--what Farnham?"

"I believe I have heard him familiarly spoken of as 'Biff.'"

"Here? Here in San Juan? 'Biff' Farnham here?" The startled words
appeared to stick in the swelling white throat, and she stood staring
at him, her slender figure swaying as though he had struck her a
physical blow. "Oh, I never knew that!"

Winston, shocked and surprised by this unexpected outburst, did not
speak, his face slowly hardening to the dim suspicion thus suddenly
aroused by her agitation and her impetuous exclamation. She must have
taken instant warning from the expression of his eyes, for, with an
effort, she faced him in regained calmness, a slight tremor in her low
voice alone betraying the lack of complete self-control.

"Your information certainly startled me greatly," she exclaimed slowly.
"It was so unexpected, and so much has happened of late to affect my
nerves."

They walked on in silence, and as he ventured to glance aside at her,
uncertain regarding his future course, her eyes were lowered and hidden
behind the drooping lashes.

"And is that all?" he asked.

"All? Why, what more is there?"

He compressed his lips, striving not to exhibit openly his impatience.

"Nothing, of course," he acquiesced quietly, "if the lady prefers
keeping silent. Only, as matters now stand, the result may prove an
unpleasant misunderstanding."

They were now at the bottom of the few steps leading up toward the
hotel entrance, and Miss Norvell, removing her hand from the support of
his arm, stood before him outwardly calm.

"Beyond doubt, you refer to my apparent surprise at first hearing Mr.
Farnham's name mentioned?"

He bowed quietly, again fascinated and disarmed by the revelation in
those dark eyes.

"The explanation is quite simple," and the voice exhibited a touch of
coolness easily perceptible. "I chanced to be somewhat acquainted with
this man in the East before--well, before he became a gambler. Of
course, I do not know him now, have not the slightest desire to do so,
but the sudden information that he was actually here, and--and all the
rest--came to me with a shock. Is that sufficient?"

The young man was unsatisfied, and, without doubt, hi