try," said Orme, calmly, "we knock men down for words like
that. In Japan, perhaps, the lie can be passed with impunity."

"Gentlemen, I ask that Mr. Orme be detained," exclaimed the minister
furiously.

"I will not be detained," said Orme.

The other men were whispering among themselves, and at last one of them
stepped forward as spokesman. "This is a serious matter for the club," he
said. "I suggest, Mr. Orme, that we go to the library"--he glanced
significantly at the other groups on the veranda--"where no one can
overhear us, and talk the matter over quietly."

"But that will exactly fit in with his scheme," exclaimed Orme, heatedly.
"He knows that, in the interests of our own country"--he hazarded
this--"I must be at a certain place before midnight. He will use every
means to delay me--even to charging me with theft."

"What is that?" Bessie Wallingham's voice broke in upon them. "Is anyone
daring to accuse Bob Orme?"

In her long, gray silk motor-cloak, with the filmy chiffon veil bound
about her hat, she startled them, like an apparition.

The spokesman explained. "His Excellency says that Mr. Orme has stolen
some papers from him."

"Then His Excellency is at fault," said Bessie, promptly. "I vouch for
Mr. Orme. He is Tom's best friend, and Tom is one of the governors of the
club. Come, Bob."

She turned away decisively, and Orme recognized the advantage she had
given him, and strode after her. From noises behind him, he gathered that
the men were holding the minister back by main force.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE GOAL

The chauffeur was opening the door of the waiting car. It was a black
car--a car with strangely familiar lines. Orme started. "Where did that
come from?" he demanded.

Bessie smiled at him. "That is my surprise for you. My very dear friend,
whom you so much desire to see, telephoned me here this evening and asked
me to spend the night with her instead of returning to Chicago. She
promised to send her car for me. It was long enough coming, goodness
knows, but if it had appeared sooner, I should, have gone before you
arrived."

Orme understood. The girl had telephoned to Bessie while he waited there
on La Salle Street. She had planned a meeting that would satisfy him with
full knowledge of her name and place. And the lateness of the car in
reaching Arradale was unquestionably owing to the fact that it had not
set out on its errand until after the girl reached home and gave her
ch