r form stiffened and the shape of her chin was
molded in the veil. Slight as this sign was, the Italian observed it.
But he was puzzled.

"Kitty," La Signorina whispered, "let us go out to the atrium. I am
tired."

They left the hall leisurely and found a vacant settle in the atrium.

"I have a horror of bats," said La Signorina.

"How cold your hands are!" exclaimed Kitty. "Never mind about the money.
They will understand."

"Kitty, I am a fool, a fool! I have unwittingly put my head in the
lion's mouth. If I had not reached this seat in time, I should have
fallen. I would willingly give all my rings if, at this moment, I could
run across the hall and out into the open!"

"Merciful Heaven! Why, what is the matter? What has happened?" Kitty was
all in a flutter.

"I can not explain to you."

"Was it some one you saw in there?"

"Silence; and sit perfectly still!"

The swinging doors opened and closed. A man in evening dress came out
into the atrium, lighting a cigarette. At the sight of him both women
were startled. Their emotions, however, were varied and unlike.

"It is Mr. Hillard, Mr. Merrihew's friend!" Kitty would have risen, but
the other's strong hand restrained her.

"Kitty, remember your promise."

"Is _he_ the man?"

"No, no! Only, I have said that we must not meet him. It might do him
incalculable harm. Harm!" La Signorina repeated; "do you understand?"

"But--"

"Silence, I command you!"

The tone had the power to subdue Kitty. The indignant protest died on
her lips. She sat perfectly still, but she would have liked to cry. To
let Mr. Hillard pass by in this manner, without a sign of friendliness
or recognition! It was intolerable. And he could tell where Merrihew was
(as indeed he could!) and what he was doing. She choked and crushed the
ends of her veil.

Hillard blew outward a few pale rings of smoke and circled the atrium
with an indolent glance which stopped as it rested upon the two veiled
women sitting alone. Besides being bored and wanting amusement, a
certain curiosity impelled him toward them, and he sank on the settle
beside them, with perhaps half a dozen spans of the hand between. He
smoked till the cigarette scorched his fingers, then he dropped it,
extinguishing the coal with the toe of his pump. He observed the women
frankly. Not a single wisp of hair escaped the veils, not a line of any
feature could be traced, and yet the tint of flesh shone dimly behind
the silken