get the best of everybody and yet keep your Nonconformist
conscience. The people did not make this war, but it is the people who
are going to end it."

They walked in silence for some minutes, he apparently pondering over
her last words, she with the cloud passing from her face as, with her
head a little thrown back and her eyes half-closed, she sniffed the
strong, salty air with an almost voluptuous expression of content. She
was perfectly dressed for the country, from her square-toed shoes,
which still seemed to maintain some distinction of shape, the perfectly
tailored coat and skirt, to the smart little felt hat with its single
quill. She walked with the free grace of an athlete, unembarrassed with
the difficulties of the way or the gusts which swept across the marshy
places, yet not even the strengthening breeze, which as they reached the
sea line became almost a gale, seemed to have power to bring even the
faintest flush of colour to her cheeks. They reached the long headland
and stood looking out at the sea before she spoke again.

"You were very kind to me last night, Mr. Orden," she said, a little
abruptly.

"I paid a debt," he reminded her.

"I suppose there is something in that," she admitted. "I really believe
that that exceedingly unpleasant person with whom I was brought into
temporary association would have killed you if I had allowed it."

"I am inclined to agree with you," he assented. "I saw him very hazily,
but a more criminal type of countenance I never beheld."

"So that we are quits," she ventured.

"With a little debt on my side still to be paid."

"Well, there is no telling what demands I may make upon our
acquaintance."

"Acquaintance?" he protested.

"Would you like to call it friendship?"

"A very short time ago;" he said deliberately, "even friendship would
not have satisfied me."

"And now?"

"I dislike mysteries."

"Poor me!" she sighed. "However, you can rid yourself of the shadow of
one as soon as you like after luncheon. It would be quite safe now, I
think, for me to take back that packet."

"Yes," he assented slowly, "I suppose that it would."

She looked up into his face. Something that she saw there brought her
own delicate eyebrows together in a slight frown.

"You will give it me after lunch?" she proposed.

"I think not," was the quiet reply.

"You were only entrusted with it for a time," she reminded him, with
ominous calm. "It belongs to me."

"A docum