d
commence his preliminary enquiries to-morrow.

Going to the window, he leant out. The quaint village street was
sleeping. The night was so still that, it scarcely breathed; it lay like
a tired child in the firm white arms of the moonlight. Coming smoothly
to a halt before the hostel was a powerful car. It was a landaulet and
the hood was lowered. Lady Dawn must have altered her plans at the last
moment; instead of sending for him, she had come herself! Catching sight
of him, she waved her hand. His heart became quiet. Like the night
without, his being was flooded with a drifting whiteness that robbed the
darkness of its terror.

VIII

As he stood by the side of the car talking to her while his bag was
being stowed away, her manner was chillingly conventional. It was so
conventional that it bordered on the unfriendly. About the
unfriendliness of the chauffeur there could be no doubt. The elaborate
care with which he tucked the robe about her Ladyship had a distinct air
of alert possessiveness.

When Tabs had taken his place beside her and the village was left
behind, she relaxed and laughed softly. "Such a trouble I've had! They
all disapproved of our expedition--I mean the servants. Their eyes
accused me of---- Perhaps it's better not to be explicit. But that was
why I called for you, instead of letting you come to the Castle. Did you
notice anything queer about Witherall?"

"Your chauffeur? I thought he rather overdid his superciliousness and
that he treated you a little as if he were your husband. Apart from
that----"

"Apart from that," she laughed, "he made you feel entirely welcome. You
mustn't mind him. My servants aren't used to seeing me with an escort.
And then---- Well, an all-night ride would be a little difficult to
explain to anybody."

"I suppose it would."

They relapsed into silence. It was jolly to be so near to her and,
after the fears he had had, to know himself so trusted. She sat quite
close to him, so that he could feel the warmth of her body. Her
shoulders touched him; sometimes she leant against him with a gentle
pressure. Her fragrance was all about him. The robe spread across their
knees gave an added touch of intimacy. He glanced down at her sideways.
She was wearing a moleskin coat with a deep collar of silver-fox. She
had on a moleskin hat, close fitting to her glossy head. Her face was
partly hidden by a smart veil. She was immaculate as ever--as composed
and stylish as if s