was greatly distressed not to have her full
quota of guests, so she sent you a most cordial invitation to come to her
at once, promising to take dinner with you some time if you would help her
out now. Somehow, she gathered from my talk that you were travelling, had
just returned from abroad, and were temporarily separated from your
friends. She is also sure that you are musical, and means to ask you to
help her out in that way this evening. I told her I was not sure whether
you could be persuaded or not, and she mercifully refrained from asking
whether you sang or played. I tell you all this so that you will be
prepared for anything. Of course I didn't tell her all these things. I
merely kept still when she inferred them. Your name, by the way, is Miss
Remington--Mary Remington. She was greatly elated for a moment when she
thought you might be Carolyn Remington--whoever she may be. I suppose she
will speak of it. The name was the first one that my eye lit upon in the
telephone-book. If you object to bearing it for the evening, it is easy to
see how a name could be misunderstood over the 'phone. But perhaps you
would better give me a few pointers, for I've never tried acting a part,
and can't be sure how well I shall do it."

The girl had been silent from astonishment while the man talked.

"But I cannot possibly go there to dinner," she gasped, her hand going to
her throat again, as if to pluck away the delicate lace about it and give
more room, for breathing. "I must get away somewhere at once. I cannot
trouble you in this way. I have already imposed upon your kindness. With
this hat and coat and gloves, I shall be able to manage quite well, and I
thank you so much! I will return them to you as soon as possible."

The cab began to go slowly, and Tryon Dunham noticed that another
carriage, just ahead of theirs, was stopping before Mrs. Bowman's house.
There was no time for halting decision.

"My friend," he said earnestly, "I cannot leave you alone, and I do not
see a better way than for you to go in here with me for a little while,
till I am free to go with you. No one can follow you here, or suspect that
you had gone out to dinner at a stranger's house. Believe me, it is the
very safest thing you could do. This is the house. Will you go in with me?
If not, I must tell the driver to take us somewhere else."

"But what will she think of me," she said in trepidation, "and how can I
do such a thing as to steal into a