me to ask Beatrice why she left you and hid herself in
London."

She tried to smile but not very successfully.

"According to his story," Tavernake continued, "you and Beatrice and
your husband were away together somewhere in the country. Something
happened there, something which resulted in the disappearance of your
husband. Beatrice came back alone and has not been near you since. Soon
afterwards, you, too, came back alone. Mr. Gardner has not been seen or
heard of."

Elizabeth was bending over her dog, but even Tavernake, unobservant
though he was, could see that she was shaken.

"Pritchard is a clever man, generally," she remarked, "diabolically
clever. Why has he told you all this, I wonder? He must have known that
you would probably repeat it to me. Why does he want to show me his
hand?"

"I have no idea," Tavernake replied. "These matters are all beyond
me. They do not concern me in any way. I am not keeping you from your
friends? Please send me away when you like."

"Don't go just yet," she begged. "Sit with me for a moment. Can't you
see," she added, whispering, "that I have had a shock? Sit with me. I
can't go back to those others just yet."

Tavernake did as he was bidden. The woman at his side was still
caressing the little animal she carried. Watching her, however,
Tavernake could see that her bosom was rising and falling quickly. There
was an unnatural pallor in her cheeks, a terrified gleam in her eyes.
Nevertheless, these things passed. In a very few seconds she was herself
again.

"Come," she said, "it is not often that I give way. The only time I am
ever afraid is when there is something which I do not understand. I do
not understand Mr. Pritchard to-night. I know that he is my enemy. I
cannot imagine why he should talk to you. He must have known that you
would repeat all he said. It is not like him. Tell me, Mr. Tavernake,
you have heard all sorts of things about me. Do you believe them? Do
you believe--it's rather a horrible thing to ask, isn't it?" she went on
hurriedly,--"do you believe that I made away with my husband?"

"You surely do not need to ask me that question," Tavernake answered,
fervently. "I should believe your word, whatever you told me. I should
not believe that you could do anything wrong."

Her hand touched his for a moment and he was repaid.

"Don't think too well of me," she begged. "I don't want to disappoint
you."

Some one pushed open the swing doors and she s