oming."

"Some day," he retorted, a little grimly, "I am going to have a very
serious talk with you, Miss Abbeway."

"Shall you be very stern?"

He made no response to her lighter mood. The appeal in her eyes left him
colder than ever.

"I wish to save your life," he declared, "and I mean to do it. At the
same time, I cannot forget your crime or my complicity in it."

"If you feel like that, then," she said a little defiantly, "tell the
truth. I knew the risk I was running. I am not afraid, even now. You can
give me back those papers, if you like. I can assure you that the person
on whom they are found will undoubtedly be shot."

"Then I shall certainly retain possession of them," he decided.

"You are very chivalrous, sir," she ventured, smiling.

"I happen to be only selfish," Julian replied. "I even despise myself
for what I am doing. I am turning traitor myself, simply because I
could not bear the thought of what might happen to you if you were
discovered."

"You like me, then, a little, Mr. Orden?" she asked.

"Twenty-four hours ago," he sighed, "I had hoped to answer that question
before it was asked."

"This is very tantalising," she murmured. "You are going to save my
life, then, and afterwards treat me as though I were a leper?"

"I shall hope," he said, "that you may have explanations--that I may
find--"

She held out her hand and stopped him. Once more, for a moment, her eyes
were distended, her form was tense. She was listening intently.

"There is some one coming," she whispered--"two or three men, I think.
What fools we have been! We ought to have decided--about the car."

Her teeth came together for a moment. It was her supreme effort at
self-control. Then she laughed almost naturally, lit a cigarette, and
seated herself upon the arm of an easy-chair.

"You are interfering shockingly with my correspondence," she declared,
"and I am sure that they want you for bridge. Here comes Lord Maltenby
to tell you so," she added, glancing towards the door.

Lord Maltenby was very pompous, very stiff, and yet apologetic. He
considered the whole affair in which he had become involved ridiculous.

"Miss Abbeway," he said, "I beg to present to you Colonel Henderson. An
unfortunate occurrence took place here last night, which it has become
the duty of--er--Colonel Henderson to clear up. He wishes to ask you a
question concerning--er--a motor-car."

Colonel Henderson frowned. He stepped a little for