y just returned, and have come direct from the hospital now."

"Well?"

"I see you know what I mean, sir. My young friend has gone. Can you tell
me where to find her?"

"Sorry I can not," said Drake coldly, and it stung him to see a look of
boundless relief cross the grave face in front of him.

"Then you don't know----"

"I didn't say that," said Drake, and then the lines of pain came back.

"At the request of her people I brought her up to London. Naturally they
will look to me for news of her, and I feel responsible for her welfare."

"If that is so, you must pardon me for saying you've taken your duty
lightly," said Drake.

John Storm gripped the rail of the chair in front of him, and there was
silence for a moment.

"Whatever I may have to blame myself with in the past, it would relieve
me to find her well and happy and safe from all harm."

"She _is_ well and happy, and safe too--I can tell you that much."

There was another moment of silence, and then John Storm said in broken
sentences and in a voice that was struggling to control itself: "I have
known her since she was a child, sir---You can not think how many tender
memories---It is nearly a year since I saw her, and one likes to see old
friends after an absence."

Drake did not speak, but he dropped his head, for John's eyes had begun
to fill.

"We were good friends too. Boy and girl comrades almost. Brother and
sister, I should say, for that was how I liked to think of myself--her
elder brother bound to take care of her."

There was a little trill of derisive laughter from the other side of the
room, where Lord Robert had put the spray down noisily and turned to look
out into the street. Then John Storm drew himself up and said in a firm
voice:

"Gentlemen, why should I mince matters? I will not do so. The girl we
speak of is more to me than anybody else in the world besides. Perhaps
she was one of the reasons why I went into that monastery. Certainly she
is the reason I have come out of it. I have come to find her. I _shall_
find her. If she is in difficulty or danger I intend to save her. Will
you tell me where she is?"

"Mr. Storm," said Drake, "I am sorry, very sorry, but what you say
compels me to speak plainly. The lady is well and safe and happy. If her
friends are anxious about her she can reassure them for herself, and no
doubt she has already done so. But in the position she occupies at
present you are a dangerous man. It might