.

"Wherever you like. I can take you home first, or I can leave you
anywhere."

She looked at him with a piteous little smile.

"The last two nights you have spoiled me," she said. "I have so
many evil thoughts and I am afraid to go home."

"I am sorry. If I could think of anything or anywhere--"

"No, you must take me home, please," said she. "It was selfish of
me. Only Mademoiselle Idiale is such a wonderful person. Do you
think that she will want you every night?"

"Of course not," he laughed. "Come, I will make an engagement with
you. We will have supper together to-morrow evening."

She brightened up at once.

"I wonder," she asked timidly, a few minutes afterwards, "have you
heard anything from Arthur? He promised to send a telegram from
Queenstown."

Laverick shook his head. He said nothing about the marconigram he
had sent, or the answer which he had received informing him that
there was no such person on board. It seemed scarcely worth while
to worry her.

"I have heard nothing," he replied. "Of course, he must be half-way
to America by now."

"There have been no more inquiries about him?" she asked.

"No more than the usual ones from his friends, and a few creditors.
The latter I am paying as they come. But there is one thing you
ought to do with me. I think we ought to go to his rooms and lock
up his papers and letters. He never even went back, you know, after
that night."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"When would you like to do this?"

"I am so busy just now that I am afraid I can spare no time until
Monday afternoon. Would you go with me then?"

"Of course... My time is my own. We have no matinee, and I have
nothing to do except in the evening."

They had reached her home. It looked very dark and very uninviting.
She shivered as she took her latchkey from the bag which she was
carrying.

"Come in with me, please, while I light the gas," she begged. "It
looks so dreary, doesn't it?"

"You ought to have some one with you," he declared, "especially in
a part like this."

"Oh, I am not really afraid," she answered. "I am only lonely."

He stood in the passage while she felt for a box of matches and lit
the gas jet. In the parlor there was a bowl of milk standing waiting
for her, and some bread.

"Thank you so much," she said. "Now I am going to make up the fire
and read for a short time. I hope that you will enjoy your supper--well,
moderately," she added, w