the papers appear to be in ignorance?"

"But you are not in ignorance," I said. "How, pray, did you learn that a
tragedy had occurred?"

"Ah!" she laughed. "That is my secret. You were very careful not to tell
me the true cause of poor Digby's flight. Yes, Mr. Royle, I congratulate
you upon your ingenuity in protecting the honour of your friend. Rest
assured he will not forget the great services you have already rendered
him."

"I look for no reward. He was my friend," was my reply.

"Then, if he was your friend and you are still his, heed my warning
concerning Phrida Shand."

"But tell me what you know?" I cried, clutching her arm as we walked
together. "You don't understand that you are making allegations--terrible
allegations--against the woman I love dearest in all the world. You have
made an assertion, and I demand that you shall substantiate it," I added
in frantic anxiety.

She shook off my hand angrily, declaring that nothing more need be said,
and adding that if I refused to heed her, then the peril would be mine.

"But you shall not leave me until you have furnished me with proof of
these perfidious actions of my love!" I declared vehemently.

"Mr. Royle, we really cannot use high words in the public street," she
replied in a low tone of reproof. "I am sorry that I am not permitted to
say more."

"But you shall!" I persisted. "Tell me--what do you know? Is Digby the
real Sir Digby?"

"Of course he is!"

"And what are his exact relations with Phrida?"

"Ah!" she laughed. "You had better ask her yourself, Mr. Royle. She will,
no doubt, tell you. Of course, she will--well, if you are to marry her.
But there, I see that you are not quite responsible for your words this
evening. It is, perhaps, natural in the circumstances; therefore I will
forgive you."

"Natural!" I echoed. "I should think it is natural that I should resent
such dastardly allegations when made against the woman I love."

"All I repeat is--go and ask her for yourself," was the woman's quiet
response as she drew herself up, and pulled her fur more closely about
her throat. "I really can't be seen here talking with you in that garb,"
she added.

"But you must tell me," I persisted.

"I can tell you no more than I have done. The girl you love will tell you
everything, or--at least, if you have a grain of ingenuity, as you no
doubt have--you will find out everything for yourself."

"Ah! but----"

"No, not another word, please,