e flushed, half fearful lest his act
had been observed by curious loungers, and he had taken a liberty in
a public place which could not be condoned. But she smiled serenely,
approvingly. There was not the faintest sign of embarrassment or
confusion in the lovely face. Any other girl in the world, he thought,
would have jerked her hand away and giggled furiously. Aunt Yvonne
inclined her head slightly, but did not proffer her hand. He wisely
refrained from extending his own. "I thought you had left the station,"
he said.

"We are waiting for Uncle Caspar, who is giving Hedrick instructions.
Hedrick, you know, is to go on to New York with our boxes. He will have
them aboard ship when we arrive there. All that we have with us is hand
luggage. We leave Washington to-night."

"I had hoped you might stay over for a few days."

"It is urgent business that compels us to leave so hastily, Mr. Lorry.
Of all the cities in the world, I have most desired to see the capital
of your country. Perhaps I may return some day. But do not let us detain
you, if you are in a hurry."

He started, looked guilty, stammered something about baggage, said he
would return in a moment, and rushed aimlessly away, his ears fiery.

"I'm all kinds of a fool," he muttered, as he raced around the
baggage-room and then back to where he had left the two ladies. Mr.
Guggenslocker had joined them and they were preparing to depart. Miss
Guggenslocker's face expressed pleasure at seeing him.

"We thought you would never return, so long were you gone," she cried,
gaily. He had been gone just two minutes by the watch! The old gentleman
greeted him warmly, and Lorry asked them to what hotel they were going.
On being informed that they expected to spend the day at the Ebbitt,
he volunteered to accompany them, saying that he intended to breakfast
there. Quicker than a flash a glance, unfathomable as it was brief,
passed between the three, not quickly enough, however, to escape
his keen, watchful eyes, on the alert since the beginning of his
acquaintance with them, in conjunction with his ears, to catch something
that might satisfy, in a measure, his burning curiosity. What was the
meaning of that glance? It half angered him, for in it he thought he
could distinguish annoyance, apprehension, dismay or something equally
disquieting. Before he could stiffen his long frame and give vent to
the dignified reconsideration that flew to his mind, the young lady
dispel