ee Starr
Wiley, smiling and urbane, standing just within the doorway.

"Another reminder of Limasito," she remarked. "A most unwelcome one.
But tell me about your accident. I am so sorry----"

His hostess claimed Thode at that juncture and bore him away to fresh
introductions, and Willa started across the room to Mrs. Halstead when
Starr Wiley intercepted her coolly.

"How do you do?" he asked. Then, without waiting for her reply, he
went on: "But that is a superfluous question, isn't it? You are
looking as distractingly charming as ever. So our knight errant has
put in an appearance once more! He looks a little the worse for wear."

"Mr. Thode has been ill," Willa remarked through stiffened lips.
"There was an accident----"

"A hootch bottle in the hands of a jealous Senorita becomes an
effective weapon, but I would call it more like fate than accident."
Wiley laughed unpleasantly. "There were some interesting rumors afloat
about our friend's conquests after your departure from Limasito. He'd
be an expert porch-climber if his practice in gaining access to certain
balconies on certain back streets counted for anything. I could have
told you before, but I did not want to shatter your illusions
concerning the local Paul Revere."

"You are trying to now, however." Willa looked straight into his eyes
and then quickly away in immeasurable disdain. "I have no ears for
idle, malicious slander, Mr. Wiley. Please, let me pass."

"It does rather jar on one, doesn't it? A reminder of the low,
primitive life down there is out of place in this highly esthetic
atmosphere." He made no move to step aside, and a shade of deeper
meaning crept into his tones. "It would be a pity if one were
compelled to return to it. The charms of Limasito would pall, I fancy,
after all this; yet such things sometimes happen."

"I trust not, for your sake," Willa responded. "You would scarcely
find the climate of Limasito a healthy one, if your activities were
fully comprehended there."

"I was not thinking of myself----" he smiled once more--"but of an old
fairy tale which I mentioned to you in the Park. You look a very
confident Cinderella, but midnight is not far off, and only you can
stop the hands of the clock, remember."

"I am not fond of riddles." Willa shrugged and turned away to greet
her host, who came forward with one of the inevitable callow youths in
tow.

Dinner was announced almost immediately and Willa sat