n odd corners, doing splendid things in the dark, as it
were, for he is horribly modest. The last I heard of him was from my
friend Captain Raglan. He travelled on Raglan's ship from Calcutta, One
night in the Mediterranean something went wrong in the engine-room. Two
of the boat's engineers were badly scalded. They managed to get away,
but a wretched stoker was too hurt to escape, and this fellow--this hero
of mine--went down into a perfect inferno and got him out. Not only
that, he went back afterwards with one of the engineers to direct him,
and worked like a bull till the mischief was put right. There was danger
of an explosion every moment, but he never lost his nerve for an
instant. When it was over everyone concerned was sworn to secrecy, and
not a passenger on board that boat knew what had actually taken place.
As I said before, he is not the sort of chap anyone would credit with
that sort of heroism. I shan't tell you what he is like in other
respects."

"I probably know," said Molly. "I came home on Captain Raglan's ship in
the autumn."

"What! You were on board?" exclaimed Bertie. "What a rum go! You will
meet one or two old friends, then. And the hero is probably known to you
already, though I'm sure you have never taken him for such."

"Oh, you're quite wrong!" laughed Molly. "I have known him and detected
his splendid qualities for quite a long while. He is nice, isn't he? I
am glad he is coming."

She took up her book with slightly heightened colour, and began to turn
over its pages.

Bertie Richmond stared at her in silence for some moments.

"Well!" he said at last. "You have got sharper insight than any woman I
know."

"Thanks!" said Molly, with an indifferent laugh. "But you are not so
awfully great on that point yourself, are you, Bertie? I should say you
are scarcely a competent judge."

Mrs. Richmond protested on Bertie's behalf, but without effect. Molly
was slightly vexed with him for imagining that she could be so dull.

VI

The great country house was invaded by a host of guests on the following
day. Portmanteaux and gun-cases were continually in evidence. The place
was filled to overflowing.

Mrs. Langdale, who was Mrs. Richmond's greatest friend, arrived in
excellent spirits, and was delighted to find Molly Erle a fellow-guest.

"And actually," she said, "Charlie Cleveland and Captain Fisher are
going to swell the throng of sportsmen. We shall imagine ourselves back
in our o