. I am indebted to you, Mr. Mario. The news--of a distressing
nature--only reached us over the telephone five minutes ago. A groom was
despatched immediately to Hatton Towers, but he seems to have missed
you."

"Nothing of a family nature, I trust."

"Not exactly, Mr. Mario; but a matter of such urgency that there was no
time for hesitation. Mr. Thessaly is already upon his way to London. He
will write you a full explanation, and for that purpose took writing
materials in the car. His letter should reach you by the first post in
the morning. You will readily understand that the hospitality of Babylon
Hall----"

Paul interrupted him. "My dear Mr. Caspar, I could not think of
intruding at a time of such distress and uncertainty. I can return to
Hatton Towers in less than twenty minutes and the larder is quite
capable of satisfying my modest requirements. Please say no more.
Directly you are able to communicate with him express to Mr. Thessaly my
sincere condolence."

"A car is at your service, Mr. Mario."

"I appreciate the kindness fully, but I should much prefer to walk.
Please banish from your mind any idea that you have inconvenienced me.
Good night, Mr. Caspar."

The several extraordinary features of the incident he did not come to
consider until later, but as he walked contemplative along Babylon Lane
he detected sounds of distant gunfire, distinct from the more remote
rumbling which was the voice of the battle front. He stood
still--listening. An air raid on London was in progress.

"Thank God that Yvonne is out of it," he said earnestly--"and may He be
with every poor soul to-night who needs Him."

Jules Thessaly and Babylon Hall were banished from his mind, although
the raid on London might very well prove to be the explanation of
Thessaly's sudden departure. From the stricken area his imagination
recoiled, and in spirit he stood in a quaintly rambling village street
of Devon before a rose-smothered cottage, looking up to an open casement
window. It was there that Yvonne was, perhaps already sleeping--Yvonne,
his wife. And all the old fear visited him as he contemplated their
happiness, their immunity from the horrors, the sacrifices of an
anguished world. Why was he spared when others, seemingly more worthy,
suffered? True, he had suffered in spirit, which is the keenest torture
of all; but he had emerged to a greater happiness, to a reunion with
Yvonne which had been like a second and sweeter honeymoo