myself in the company of sharks and
card-sharpers."

Forrest's eyes narrowed. A quick little breath passed between his
teeth. He took a step forward toward the young man, as though about to
strike him.

Engleton, however, remained unmoved.

"You are going to carry away a story like this?" he said hoarsely.

"I shall tell my friends," Engleton answered, "just as much or as
little as I choose of my visit here. Since, however, you are curious, I
may say that should I find you at any future time in any respectable
house, it will be my duty to inform any one of my friends who are
present of the character of their fellow-guest. Will you be so good as
to stand away from that door?"

"No!" Forrest answered.

Engleton turned toward Cecil.

"Mr. De la Borne," he said, "may I appeal to you, as it is your house,
to allow me egress from it?"

Cecil came hesitatingly up to the two. The Princess, with a sweep of
her skirts, followed him.

"Major Forrest is right," she declared. "We cannot have this madman go
back to London to spread about slanderous tales. Major Forrest will
stand away from that door, Lord Ronald, as soon as you pass your word
that what has happened to-night will remain a secret."

Engleton laughed contemptuously.

"Not I," he answered. "Exactly what I said to Major Forrest, I repeat,
madam, to you, and to you, sir, my host. I shall give my friends the
benefit of my experience whenever it seems to me advisable."

Forrest locked the door, and put the key into his pocket.

"We shall hope, Lord Ronald," he said quietly, "to induce you to change
your mind."

CHAPTER XI

"Every one down for luncheon!" Jeanne declared. "What energy! Where is
Lord Ronald, by the by?" she added, looking around the room. "He
promised to take me out sailing this morning. I wonder if I missed him
on the marshes."

The Princess yawned, and glanced at the clock.

"By this time," she remarked, "Lord Ronald is probably in London. He
had a telegram or something in the middle of the night, and went away
early this morning."

Jeanne looked at them in surprise.

"How queer!" she remarked. "I was down before nine o'clock. Had he left
then?"

"Long before then, I believe," Forrest answered. "He is very likely
coming back in a day or two."

Jeanne nodded indifferently. The intelligence, after all, was of little
importance to her.

"Has the luncheon gong gone?" she asked. "I have been out since ten
o'clock, and I am