rity that they would spread the news. They ate and went stamping
away, news bureaus afoot.

She marched to the pathetic incarnation of doubt and dolor after a time;
he was lingering at table in a condition that was near to stupefaction.

"Why aren't you on your way?" she demanded, with ireful impatience.

"You'll have to tell me what the matter is with you!"

"I'll tell you nothing--not now! But you have something to tell Mr.
Flagg, haven't you?"

"You're right! I'll go and tell him that I'm starting for the drive. If
I have to smash the hinges off the door of Tophet I'll put our logs----"

"That's it!" she cried, eagerly. "Our logs! We'll call them our logs.
Don't mind because I seemed strange a little while ago. You'll
understand, some day. But now hurry! Hurry!" She forced herself to
smile. She was eagerly in earnest, almost hysterical. She spoke his
name, though with effort. "Remember, Ward! Our logs! Bring them
through!"

He leaped out of his chair. The other breakfasters were gone. She stood
on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

Immediately after Latisan had left on his way to assure Echford Flagg,
the girl was reminded of her putative Vose-Mern affiliations. Crowley
lounged back into the room, taking advantage of the fact that she was
alone. "Put me wise as to why you're playing this shot with the reverse
English."

"Hands off, Crowley! You're only a watchdog, paid to guard me."

"I don't propose to have our folks double-crossed. You have started that
drive boss back onto his job, and you and he announce an engagement this
morning! You're cagy or crazy! I won't have anything put over! If you're
straight, come through to me and I'll back you. Otherwise----" He tossed
his hands in an eloquent gesture.

"I'll wire to have you pulled down to the city."

"I have done some wiring ahead of you. It's up to our folks to find out
what's the big idea."

"Crowley, won't you leave it all to me?" she pleaded, fighting to the
last ditch for her secret and for time. "Can't you see that I'm placing
a double-crosser in the enemy's camp?"

He looked at her hard and long and his lips curled into a sardonic grin.
"You're a good one. I'll admit that. But you can't stand there and give
me the straight eye and make me believe you have made over Latisan to
that extent. I've got him sized. It can't be done!"

Crowley was right--she could not meet his sophisticated gaze.

"What do you expect me to do?" she asked, lamely.

"