est in it as myself. You must not
let me bore you."

Hilliard, suspicious and critically observant, wondered if he had not
interrupted a second rapid look between father and daughter. He could
not be sure, but at all events the girl hastened to second her father's
invitation.

"I hope you will wait for dinner," she said. "As he says, we see so few
people, and particularly so few English, that it would be doing us
a kindness. I'm afraid that's not very complimentary"--she laughed
brightly--"but it's at least true."

They stayed and enjoyed themselves. Mr. Coburn proved himself an
entertaining host, and his conversation, though satirical, was worth
listening to. He and Hilliard talked, while Merriman, who was something
of a musician, tried over songs with Miss Coburn. Had it not been for an
uneasy feeling that they were to some extent playing the part of spies,
the evening would have been a delight to the visitors.

Before they left for the launch it was arranged that they should stay
over the following day, lunch with the Coburns, and go for a tramp
through the forest in the afternoon. They took their leave with cordial
expressions of good will.

"I say, Merriman," Hilliard said eagerly as they strolled back through
the wood, "did you notice how your sudden appearance upset them both?
There can be no further doubt about it, there's something. What it may
be I don't know, but there is something."

"There's nothing wrong at all events," Merriman asserted doggedly.

"Not wrong in the sense you mean, no," Hilliard agreed quickly, "but
wrong for all that. Now that I have met Miss Coburn I can see that your
estimate of her was correct. But anyone with half an eye could see also
that she is frightened and upset about something. There's something
wrong, and she wants a helping hand."

"Damn you, Hilliard, how you talk," Merriman growled with a sudden
wave of unreasoning rage. "There's nothing wrong and no need for our
meddling. Let us clear out and go on with our trip."

Hilliard smiled under cover of darkness.

"And miss our lunch and excursion with the Coburns to-morrow?" he asked
maliciously.

"You know well enough what I mean," Merriman answered irritably. "Let's
drop this childish tomfoolery about plots and mysteries and try to get
reasonably sane again. Here," he went on fiercely as the other demurred,
"I'll tell you what I'll do if you like. I'll have no more suspicions or
spying, but I'll ask her if there i