and they don't
count. If he had killed a white man--What's the matter?'

'Nothing,' said Mrs. Willoughby, recovering from a start; 'an idea
occurred to me, that's all.'

'Tell me.'

For a moment Mrs. Willoughby seemed at a loss. Then she said, with a
laugh:

'If you will know, I was wondering whether your explanation covered
all you meant by "unfortunately."' She lowered her voice. 'You can be
frank with me.'

Mallinson was diverted by her assurance of sympathy, and launched out
immediately into an elaborate history of the emotions which the
friendliness of Miss Le Mesurier to Drake had set bubbling within him.
Mr. Le Mesurier approached the pair before Mallinson had finished, and
the latter hurriedly broke off.

'Well,' said Mr. Le Mesurier, 'will you meet Mr. Drake, Constance, at
lunch, say on Sunday?'

Mrs. Willoughby stared.

'Do you mean that?'

'Certainly.' Mr. Le Mesurier was defiant. Mrs. Willoughby's stare changed
to a look of thoughtfulness.

'No,' she said, 'I don't think I could.' She moved away. Mallinson
followed her.

'You know something about Drake,' he exclaimed, 'something which
would help me.'

'That is hardly generous rivalry,' she replied.

'Does he deserve generosity?' he asked, with a trace of cunning in his
expression which Mrs. Willoughby found distasteful.

'If I can help you,' she answered evasively, 'help you honourably, I
will,' and she turned away. Mallinson put out a hand to stop her.

'I need help,' he whispered. 'There is a conspiracy to praise the man.
You heard Conway at dinner. It's the same with every one, from Mr. Le
Mesurier to Fielding.'

'Oh,' she said, her voice kindling to an expression of interest, 'does
Mr. Fielding like him? He is fastidious too.' She paused for a second in
deliberation, her eyes searching the floor. Raising them, she perceived
Mr. Le Mesurier coming towards her.

'I claim our privilege,' she said. 'I will lunch on Sunday, and meet your
paragon, after all.'

'I am very glad,' he said impressively. 'Lunch at two.'

Mrs. Willoughby waited until he was out of ear-shot, and turned again to
Mallinson.

'It is best that I should see the man, and know something more of him
than hearsay. Don't you think so?'

A note of apology discounted the explanation. Mallinson understood that
the reference to Fielding was the cause of her change of mind.

'Do you value Fielding's opinion?' he asked.

'Oh, I don't know. On some subjects I think ye