ght them
both where they were. Mina knew the truth about herself, Neeld about
himself; neither knew or guessed it about the other. Hence their wonder
and their unreasonable feeling that there was something of a fate
bringing them together in that place.

"You're sure he says nothing about us?" she urged.

"You'll not find a word," he replied, sticking to the form of assertion
that salved his conscience. He looked across the lawn again, but Janie
and Harry had disappeared amongst the bushes.

"You're sort of old acquaintances at second-hand, then," said Iver,
smiling. "Cholderton's the connecting link."

"He didn't like me," remarked Mina. "He used to call me the Imp."

"Yes, yes," said Neeld in absent-minded acquiescence. "Yes, the Imp."

"You don't seem much surprised!" cried Mina in mock indignation.

"Surprised?" He started more violently. "Oh, yes--I--I-- Of course!
I'm----" A laugh from his host spared him the effort of further
apologies. But he was a good deal shaken; he had nearly betrayed his
knowledge of the Imp. Indeed he could not rid himself of the idea that
there was a very inquisitive look in Madame Zabriska's large eyes.

Mina risked one more question, put very carelessly.

"I think he must have met Lady Tristram there once or twice. Does he say
anything about her?"

"Not a word," said Neeld, grasping the nettle firmly this time.

Mina took another look at him, but he blinked resolutely behind his
glasses.

"Well, it's just like Mr Cholderton to leave out all the interesting
things," she observed resignedly. "Only I wonder why you edit his book
if it's like that, you know."

"Hello, what's that?" exclaimed Iver, suddenly sitting up in his chair.

They heard the sound of a horse's galloping on the road outside. The
noise of the hoofs stopped suddenly. They sat listening. In a minute or
two the butler led a groom in the Tristram livery on to the lawn. He
came quickly across to Iver, touching his hat.

"Beg pardon, sir, but could I see Mr Tristram? I've an important message
for him."

At the same moment Janie and Harry Tristram came out on to the grass.
Harry saw the groom and was with them in a moment, Janie following.

"Well, Sam, what is it? You were riding hard."

"Her ladyship has had a relapse, sir, and Dr Fryer ordered me to ride
over and tell you at once. No time to lose, he said, sir."

"Did you bring a horse for me?"

"No, sir. But I'm riding Quilldriver."

"I'll go back o