f this fact no one in Ophir had knowledge save
Mr. Britton.

During the last days of Kate's stay in Ophir she watched in vain for
another glimpse of her strange friend. On the morning of her departure,
as the train was leaving the depot, she suddenly saw the olive-skinned
messenger of former occasions running alongside the Pullman in which
she was seated. Catching her eye, he motioned for her to raise the
window; she did so, whereupon he tossed a little package into her lap,
pointing at the same time farther down the platform, and lifting his
ragged sombrero, vanished. An instant later the Senora came into view,
standing at the extreme end of the platform, a lace mantilla thrown
about her head and shoulders, the ends of which she now waved in token
of farewell. Kate held up the little package with a smile; she responded
with a deprecatory gesture indicative of its insignificance, then with
another wave of the lace scarf and a flutter of Kate's handkerchief,
they passed out of each other's sight.

Kate hastily undid the package; a little box of ebony inlaid with pearl
slipped from the wrappings, which, upon touching a secret spring,
opened, disclosing a small cross of Etruscan gold of the most exquisite
workmanship. In her first letter to Mr. Britton Kate related the
incident, and begged him to look out for the woman and render her any
assistance possible.

To this Mr. Britton needed no urging. Since his first sight of her that
night in Mr. Underwood's office he had been looking for her, for a
twofold purpose. For a number of weeks he failed to get even a glimpse
of her, nor could he obtain any clew to her whereabouts.

One night, well into the summer, he came upon her, unexpectedly,
standing in front of a cheap restaurant, looking at the edibles
displayed in the window. She was not veiled, her face was pale and
haggard, and there was no mistaking the expression in her eyes as she
finally turned away.

"My friend," said Mr. Britton, laying his hand gently on her shoulder,
"are you hungry?"

She shrank from him with a start till a glance in his face reassured
her, and she answered, with an expressive gesture,--

"Yes, Senor; I have had nothing to eat to-day, and but little
yesterday."

"This is no fit place; come with me," Mr. Britton replied, leading the
way two or three blocks down the street, to a first-class restaurant. He
conducted her through the ladies' entrance into a private box, where he
ordered a sub