having identified also the correspondent
whose letter claimed priority of attention. He knew that Frank's anger
with the house agent was very likely the expression of his anger in
quite another direction.

"Can I send the letter on?" suggested the girl.

"That won't help me," said Frank, with a little grimace. "I wanted to
settle the business this week."

"I have it," she said. "I will open the letter and telegraph to you in
Paris whether the terms are accepted or not."

Frank laughed.

"It hardly seems worth that," he said, "but I should take it as awfully
kind of you if you would, May."

Saul Arthur Mann believed in his mind that Frank did not care tuppence
whether the agent accepted the terms or not, but that he had taken this
as a Heaven-sent opportunity for veiling his annoyance.

"You have had quite a large mail, Miss Nuttall," he said.

"I've only opened one, though. It is from Jasper," she said hurriedly.

Again both men noticed the faint flush, the strange, unusual light which
came to her eyes.

"And where does Jasper write from?" asked Frank, steadying his voice.

"He writes from England, but he was going on the Continent to Holland
the day he wrote," she said. "It is funny to think that he is here."

"In Switzerland?" asked Frank in surprise.

"Don't be silly," she laughed. "No, I mean on the mainland--I mean there
is no sea between us."

She went crimson.

"It sounds thrilling," said Frank dryly.

She flashed round at him.

"You mustn't be horrid about Jasper," she said quickly; "he never speaks
about you unkindly."

"I don't see why he should," said Frank; "but let's get off a subject
which is--"

"Which is--what?" she challenged

"Which is controversial," said Frank diplomatically.

She came down to the station to see him off. As he looked out of the
window, waving his farewells, he thought he had never seen a more lovely
being or one more desirable.

It was in the afternoon of that day which saw Frank Merrill speeding
toward the Swiss frontier and Paris that Mr. Rex Holland strode into the
Palace Hotel at Montreux and seated himself at a table in the
restaurant. The hour was late and the room was almost deserted.
Giovanni, the head waiter, recognized him and came hurriedly across the
room.

"Ah, m'sieur," he said, "you are back from England. I didn't expect you
till the winter sports had started. Is Paris very dull?"

"I didn't come through Paris," said the other shortly; "