w that he was not to remember that they were
married, that they were just to behave like good pals--for the complete
deception of the Great Horatio.

"Thank you, thank you very much," he said again. "And--and when will
you--when----" he stammered.

"Oh, not yet," she told him quickly. "There is plenty of time. Next
week will do. You can let me know when your brother arrives. I'll
come then. I'll----" Someone knocked at the door. It was Gladys.
She looked apologetic. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a telegram
for Jimmy. I thought it might be important." She handed him the
yellow envelope.

Jimmy took it agitatedly. His heart was thumping. He was sure that he
knew what were its contents. He broke open the flap. There was a
little silence; then he handed the message to his wife.

"Horatio arrives in London to-morrow morning. Wire just received.
Thought you ought to know at once.--SANGSTER."

Christine read the message through, then let it flutter to the floor at
her feet; she looked up at Jimmy's embarrassed face.

"Well?" she said sharply.

"He's coming to-morrow, you see," Jimmy began stumblingly. "He--he'll
be in London to-morrow, so if--so if----" He cast an appealing glance
at Gladys.

"I suppose I'm in the way," she said bluntly. "I'll clear out."

She turned to the door, but Christine stopped her.

"You're not in the way--I'd rather you stayed. You may as well hear
what we're talking about. Jimmy's brother is coming home, and--and,
you see, he doesn't know that I--that we----"

"I've asked her to come back to me--at any rate, for a time," Jimmy
interrupted valiantly. "I know I don't deserve it, but it would make
such a deuce of a difference if she would--you know what Horatio
is--I--I'd give anything to prevent him knowing what a mess I've made
of everything," he added boyishly.

They were both looking at Gladys now, Jimmy and Christine, and for a
moment she stood irresolute, then she turned to Jimmy's wife. "Well,
what are you going to do?" she said, and her usually blunt voice was
quite gentle.

Christine moved closer to her friend.

"Oh, what do you think I ought to do?" she appealed in a whisper.

Gladys glanced across at Jimmy Challoner; he looked miserable enough;
at the sight of his thin face and worried eyes she softened towards
him; she took Christine's hand.

"I think you ought to go," she said.

Jimmy turned away; he stood staring down into the fire; h