r--eh? Well," he added, "after all, it's only natural.
She's not so devilish clever as you, Mary, otherwise she would never
have allowed herself to fall beneath suspicion. She must have somehow
blundered."

"To-morrow I shall go to town," she said in a reflective voice. "No
time should be lost in effecting the reconciliation between them."

"You are right," he declared. "You should commence at once. Call and
talk with him. He believes so entirely in you. But promise me one
thing; that you will not go to Ethelwynn," he urged.

"Why not?"

"Because it is quite unnecessary," he answered. "You are not good
friends; therefore your influence upon the doctor should be a hidden
one. She will believe that he has returned to her of his own free
will; hence our position will be rendered the stronger. Act
diplomatically. If she believes that you are interesting yourself in
her affairs it may anger her."

"Then you suggest that I should call upon the doctor in secret, and
try and influence him in her favour without her being aware of it?"

"Exactly. After the reconciliation is effected you may tell her. At
present, however, it is not wise to show our hand. By your visit to
the doctor you may be able to obtain from him how much he knows, and
what are his suspicions. One thing is certain, that with all his
shrewdness he doesn't dream the truth."

"Who would?" she asked with a smile. "If the story were told, nobody
would believe it."

"That's just it! The incredibility of the whole affair is what places
us in such a position of security; for as long as I lie low and you
continue to act the part of the interesting widow, nobody can possibly
get at the truth."

"I think I've acted my part well, up to the present," she said, "and I
hope to continue to do so. To influence the doctor will be a difficult
task, I fear. But I'll do my utmost, because I see that by the
reconciliation Ethelwynn's lips would be sealed."

"Act with discretion, my dear," urged the old man. "But remember that
Boyd is not a man to be trifled with--and as for that accursed friend
of his, Ambler Jevons, he seems second cousin to the very King of
Darkness himself."

"Never fear," she laughed confidently. "Leave it to me--leave all to
me."

And then, agreeing that it was time they went back, they turned,
retraced their steps, and passing through the small gate into the
meadow, were soon afterwards lost to sight.

Truly my night's adventure had been as s