Fentolin had passed.
He was out of sight now, inside the Tower. Somehow or other, the thought
seemed to give her courage and dignity. She spoke differently, without
nervousness or hurry.

"To you, Mr. Hamel," she said, "it may seem so. We who make it know of
its necessity."

He bowed his head. It was not a subject for him to discuss with her.

"Mr. Fentolin has whims," she went on, "violent whims. We all try to
humour him. He has his own ideas about Gerald's bringing up. I do not
agree with them, but we submit. Esther, too, suffers, perhaps to a
less extent. As for me,"--her voice broke a little--"Mr. Fentolin likes
people around him who are always cheerful. He prefers even a certain
style--of dress. I, too, have to do my little share."

Hamel's face grew darker.

"Has it ever occurred to you," he demanded, "that Mr. Fentolin is a
tyrant?"

She closed her eyes for a moment.

"There are reasons," she declared, "why I cannot discuss that with you.
He has these strong fancies, and it is our task in life to humour them.
He has one now with regard to the Tower, with regard to you. You are,
of course, your own master. You can do as you choose, and you will do
as you choose. Neither I nor my children have any claim upon your
consideration. But, Mr. Hamel, you have been so kind that I feel moved
to tell you this. It would make it very much easier for all of us if you
would give up this scheme of yours, if you would stay on here instead of
going to reside at the Tower."

Hamel threw away his cigarette. He was deeply interested.

"Mrs. Fentolin," he said, "I am glad to have you speak so plainly. Let
me answer you in the same spirit. I am leaving this house mainly because
I have conceived certain suspicions with regard to Mr. Fentolin. I do
not like him, I do not trust him, I do not believe in him. Therefore,
I mean to remove myself from the burden of his hospitality. There are
reasons," he went on, "why I do not wish to leave the neighbourhood
altogether. There are certain investigations which I wish to make. That
is why I have decided to go to the Tower."

"Miles was right, then!" she cried suddenly. "You are here to spy upon
him!"

He turned towards her swiftly.

"To spy upon him, Mrs. Fentolin? For what reason? Why? Is he a criminal,
then?"

She opened her lips and closed them again. There was a slight frown upon
her forehead. It was obvious that the word had unintentionally escaped
her.

"I only know what