ards--from right to
left. Hello!" He started in surprise as he saw, on bending closer, that
Penelope had covered the sheet with large printed letters--X--K--C,
written over and over again.

Greatly disturbed, Dr. Owen roused his patient and questioned her about
this; but she insisted that she had no idea what she had written or what
the letters meant. A little later, however, she acknowledged that this
was not true.

"What! You did know what you wrote?" the scientist demanded. His whole
manner had changed. His eyes were cold and accusing. He was no longer a
sympathetic physician tactful towards the whims of a pretty woman, but a
major in the United States Army defending the interests of his country.

"This is a very serious matter, Mrs. Wells, please understand that. You
told me just now that you did not know what you wrote on the sheet of
paper?"

Penelope faced him scornfully. Her cheeks were flushed. Her bosom
heaved.

"I said that, but it wasn't true. I lied to you. I did know what I
wrote."

"You know what those letters mean?"

"Yes, I do!"

"What do they mean?"

"They mean some kind of poison stuff that you have made for the army."

"How do you know that?"

"He told me," she turned to Captain Herrick who had listened in dumb
bewilderment.

"How can you say such a thing?" Chris protested.

"Because it's true," she flung the words at him defiantly.

The young officer went close to her and looked searchingly into her
eyes.

"Think what you are saying," he begged. "Remember what this means.
Remember that--"

She cut in viciously: "You shut up! I have no more use for you. I tell
you it's true."

"Don't believe her, doctor," interposed Seraphine: "She is not
responsible for what she says."

"I am responsible. I know exactly what I am saying."

"It is not true, sir," put in Captain Herrick. "May I add that--"

"Wait! Why are you confessing this, Mrs. Wells?"

Like a fury Fauvette glared at Christopher.

"Because he turned me down. I'm sore on him. He's not on the level."

"Not on the level? Are you speaking of him as a lover or an officer?"

"Both ways. He's not on the level at all."

"Oh, Penelope!" grieved the heartbroken lover.

She eyed him scornfully. "You needn't Penelope me! I said I have no use
for you. A Sunday school sweetheart! Ha! I'll tell you something else,
doctor, I'm not the only one who knows about your X K C stuff."

"Mrs. Wells," Dr. Owen spoke slowly, "are you del