ce he had eaten, though his
consumption of wine was quite moderate. His big, rather fierce
eyes were more than prominent now; they bulged. Certain Jewish
characteristics in his face had become accentuated. She remembered the
ancient habit of anointing with oil, and laughed at the thought, for
that was a little trick of hers to conceal nervousness.

"You doubt me, then?" he half whispered. "Or do you deem it beyond the
power of finance to convert so small a sum into hundreds--it may be
thousands--of pounds in six months?"

"Indeed I should credit you with ability to do that and more, Mr.
Bower," she said; "but I was wondering why you made such an offer to a
mere acquaintance,--one whom it is more than likely you will never
meet again."

The phrase had a harsh and awkward sound in her ears. Bower, to her
relief, seemed to ignore it.

"It is permissible to gratify an impulse once in awhile," he
countered. "And not to mention the audited accounts, there was a
matter of theater tickets that should serve to bring us together
again. Won't you give me your address, in London if not in
Switzerland? Here is mine."

He produced a pocketbook, and picked out a card. It bore his name and
his club. He added, in pencil, "50 Hamilton Place."

"Letters sent to my house reach me, no matter where I may happen to
be," he said.

The incident brought fresh tremors to Helen. Indeed, the penciled
address came as an unpleasant shock; for Millicent Jaques, on the day
they met in Piccadilly, having gone home with Helen to tea, excused an
early departure on the ground that she was due to dinner at that very
house.

But she took the card, and strove desperately to appear at ease, for
she had no cause to quarrel with one whose manners were so courteous.

"Thank you very much," she said. "If you care to see my articles in
the--in the paper, I shall send you copies. Now I must say good by. I
am rather tired. Before I go let me say how deeply indebted I feel for
your kindness to-day."

She rose. Bower stood up too, and bowed with smiling deference. "Good
night," he said. "You will not be disturbed by the customs people at
the frontier. I have arranged all that."

Helen made the best of her way along the swaying corridors till she
reached her section of the sleeping car; but Bower resumed his seat at
the table. He ordered a glass of fine champagne and held it up to the
light. There was a decided frown on his strong face, and the attendant