on his
forehead. He looked full at Saltash with eyes of blazing accusation.

Saltash's face never changed as he came up to the car. He ceased to
whistle, but the old whimsical look remained. He seemed unaware of any
tension.

"Car all right?" he asked smoothly. "Can I lend a hand? The general is
beginning to move."

Sheila turned without a word and got into the car.

Bunny neither moved nor spoke. He stood like a man paralysed. It was
Saltash who, with that royal air of amusing himself, stooped to the
handle and started the engine.

The girl at the wheel did not even thank him. She looked beyond. Only as
he stood aside and the car slid forward, she turned stiffly to Bunny.

"Good-bye!" she said.

He made a jerky movement. Their eyes met for a single second. "You will
write?" he said.

His throat was working spasmodically, the words seemed to come with
gigantic effort. She bent her head in answer and passed between them
through the white gate into the drive that led round to the house.

Saltash turned with a lightning movement to Bunny. "Walk back with me and
we can talk!" he said.

Bunny drew sharply back. The movement was one of instinctive recoil. But
still no words came. He stood staring at Saltash, and he was trembling
from head to foot.

"Don't be an ass now!" Saltash said, and his voice was oddly gentle, even
compassionate. "You've stumbled on a mare's nest. It's all right. I can
explain."

Bunny controlled himself with a jerk. His face was like death, but he
found his voice. "You can keep your damned lies to yourself," he said.
"I've no use for them."

The prod of a riding-switch against his shoulder made him start as a
spirited animal starts at the touch of a spur. But Saltash only laughed.

"You'll fight me for that!" he said.

"I wouldn't touch you!" flung back Bunny.

"Oh, wouldn't you?" The odd eyes mocked him openly. "Then you withdraw
the insult--with apologies?"

"Apologise--to you!" said Bunny.

"Or fight!" said Saltash. "I think that would do you more good than the
other, but you shall decide."

"I will do neither," said Bunny, and turned his back with the words.
"I've--done with you."

"You're wrong!" said Saltash. "You've got to face it, and you won't get
the truth from anyone but me. That girl knows nothing, Bunny!" His voice
was suddenly curt, with that in it which very few ever heard. "Turn
around! Do you hear? Turn round--damn you! I'll kick you if you don't!"

Bunny