does, Mr. President, can be he blamed?' was my answer."

"And how did he take it?"

"He leaned back in his chair and looked through his glasses with his
eyebrows drawn together, in that way you'd think he was scowling if you
didn't know him. After a moment he said: 'I should be sorry, but if he
does, no professional or legal--no, nor moral--obligations can hold
him.'"

"There! Greg does not even get credit for----"

"Wait. 'But will he?' he continued. I said that I did not think so.
'What makes you think he won't?' 'Because I know him, sir. But,' I went
on, 'don't you think, Mr. President, that by this time he should have a
word of encouragement or appreciation?' And that led to quite a talk."

"About Greg, Andie?"

"Greg and his work, Marie."

She leaned her elbows on the table and from between her palms smiled
across at him. "When you use that tone, Andie, I know that all women
should stay silent. But could--couldn't a little sister to the man in
the case be given just a little hint?"

"To the little sister--Oh, much! To her I can say that I have reason to
think that something is on its way to her brother which will be very
pleasing to her and to him."

"For which, my lord, thy servant thanks thee."

Eight bells echoed from the fleet. "Eight o'clock, and somebody walking
the beach! It couldn't be, Andie--it couldn't be that Mr. Necker----"

Balfe gravely shook his head.

"But, Andie," she whispered, "there was the most friendly expression in
his eye!"

"If there's a living man, Marie"--he bent over also to whisper--"who
could hold speech with you for ten seconds without a friendly gleam--" A
knock on the veranda door interrupted.

It was Necker. "How do you do again, Miss Welkie?" To her his bow was
appreciative, deferential. To Balfe he nodded in a not unfriendly
fashion.

"I'm glad to see you again, Mr. Necker. Come in, please. I will call my
brother." She pressed a button on the veranda wall. "That will bring him
right down, Mr. Necker. And now I'm leaving you with Mr. Balfe. Diana,
our cook's little boy has a fever----"

"Fever, Marie?"

"Oh, don't worry, Andie, if you're thinking of danger. It's only
malaria. And it's only a step or two, and you must stay with Mr.
Necker."

Balfe held the door open for her. She paused in the doorway. "I'll be
back in half an hour."

"Half an hour! Time is no bounding youth, Marie Welkie."

"Come for me, then--Oh, when you please," she whispered, and pas