righten her a little----"

"Is that what you wanted me for?" asked Oswyn impatiently. "If so,
allow me----"

The other hastened to reassure him.

"Oh, no, not at all. But I thought you might be able to tell me
where the person is to be found, her address, or something about
her. I understand that she was a model; you probably know her...."

The painter shrugged his shoulders.

"Who is she? What is her name?"

"Kitty--that's all I know."

"Kitty? Kitty Crichton, I suppose."

A light dawned on him; the name opened a door to many forgotten
trivial incidents. He did not speak again for a minute, and when he
broke the silence there was a harder tone in his voice, and he rose
from his chair at the same time.

"I don't see how this can concern me, or you, either. You must
pardon me if I say that I dislike meddling, and people who meddle."

Sylvester blushed hotly.

"You don't suppose I want to do him anything but good," he said
diplomatically, trying to convince himself that he was not damaging
the reputation for perfect candour which he hoped that he enjoyed.
"It's not a pleasant task, but there are circumstances in which one
has to sacrifice one's scruples--one's feelings."

Oswyn glanced at him again, with some contempt in the lines of his
worn face.

"Excuse me if I refrain from sounding your motives."

Then he paused, fingering his soft felt hat. Suddenly his face was
illumined by a remarkably grim smile, and it became evident to the
man who was watching him so anxiously that there had occurred some
change in his mental perspective.

"I don't quite understand why you brought me into this," he added,
the smile still hovering very lightly on his lips. "However, under
the circumstances, I think I can't do much harm by putting you in
the way of finding Mrs. Crichton. Let me recommend you to inquire
for her at the office of the _Outcry_, the newspaper--she used to work
for it, I believe--in Took's Court. They will know her address
there. Took's Court--it's only a few minutes' walk from here.
Thanks, I can find my way out...."

"I suppose that was rather a stupid thing to do," he said
regretfully, as he stopped in the doorway below to light a
cigarette, "though not such a _betise_ as his, _mon dieu_!... But I
couldn't resist the temptation. Now, I wonder if he's clever enough
to find out the truth?"

CHAPTER XXI

The night was dark and still--so dark that above the tree-tops all
was a soft, abysm