ner of her speech. It was a strange proposition,
perhaps, but this was one of the strangest of men.

"I am quite willing to try it," she decided. "Will you tell me where I
can meet you later on?"

"I have an hour and a half for luncheon at one o'clock," he said. "Meet
me exactly at the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square. Would you like a
little money?" he added, rising.

"I have plenty, thank you," she answered.

He laid half-a-crown upon the table and made an entry in a small
memorandum book which he drew from his pocket.

"You had better keep this," he said, "in case you want it. I am going to
leave you alone here. You can find your way anywhere, I am sure, and
I am in a hurry. At one o'clock, remember. I hope you will still be
feeling better."

He put on his hat and went away without a backward glance. Beatrice sat
in her chair and watched him out of sight.

CHAPTER V. INTRODUCING Mrs. WENHAM GARDNER

A very distinguished client was engaging the attention of Mr. Dowling,
Senior, of Messrs. Dowling, Spence & Company, auctioneers and estate
agents, whose offices were situated in Waterloo Place, Pall Mall. Mr.
Dowling was a fussy little man of between fifty and sixty years, who
spent most of his time playing golf, and who, although he studiously
contrived to ignore the fact, had long since lost touch with the details
of his business. Consequently, in the absence of Mr. Dowling, Junior,
who had developed a marked partiality for a certain bar in the locality,
Tavernake was hastily summoned to the rescue from another part of the
building, by a small boy violently out of breath.

"Never see the governor in such a fuss," the latter declared,
confidentially, "She's asking no end of questions and he don't know a
thing."

"Who is the lady?" Tavernake asked, on the way downstairs.

"Didn't hear her name," the boy replied. "She's all right, though, I can
tell you--a regular slap-up beauty. Such a motor-car, too! Flowers and
tables and all sorts of things inside. By Jove, won't the governor tear
his hair if she goes before you get there!"

Tavernake quickened his steps and in a few moments knocked at the door
of the private office and entered.

His chief welcomed him with a gesture of relief. The distinguished
client of the firm, whose attention he was endeavoring to engage, had
glanced toward the newcomer, at his first appearance, with an air of
somewhat bored unconcern. Her eyes, however, did not immedi