ly developing under
the warm and magic kindness of this man who had become her only
friend, had not thought of him in any other way.... Until to-day.

What had happened in her mind, in her heart, she had not
analysed--probably was afraid to, there at the piano in the
music-room. And later, in her bedroom, when she had summoned up
innocent courage sufficient for self-analysis, she didn't know how to
question herself--did not realise exactly what had happened to her,
and never even thought of including him in the enchanted cataclysm
which had befallen her mind and heart and soul.

Thessalie and Westmore appeared on the lawn by the pool. Behind the
woods the sky was tinted with pale orange.

It may have been the psychic quality of the Celt in Dulcie--a pale
glimmer of clairvoyance--some momentary and vague premonition
wirelessed through the evening stillness which set her sensitive body
vibrating; for she turned abruptly and gazed northward across the
woods and hills--remained motionless, her grey eyes fixed on the far
horizon, all silvery with the hidden glimmer of unlighted stars.

Then she slowly said aloud to herself:

"He will not come. He will never come again--this man who loved my
mother."

Barres approached across the grass, looking for her. She went forward
through the arbour to meet him.

"Hasn't he come?" he asked.

"He is not coming, Garry."

"Why? Have you heard anything?"

She shook her head:

"No. But he isn't coming."

"Probably he'll explain this evening at the Gerhardts'."

"I shall never see him again," she said absently.

He turned and gave her a searching look. Her gaze was remote, her face
a little pale.

They walked back to the house together in silence.

A servant met them in the hall with a note on a tray. It was for
Barres; Dulcie passed on with a pale little smile of dismissal; Barres
opened the note:

"The pot has boiled over, mon ami. Something has scared Skeel. He
gave us the slip very cleverly, leaving Gerhardt's house before
sunrise and motoring north at crazy speed. Where he will strike
the railway I have no means of knowing. Your Government's people
are trying to cover Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. On the Canada side
the authorities have been notified and are alert I hope.

"Gerhardt's country house is a nest of mischief hatchers. One in
particular is under surveillance and will be arrested. His name is
Tauscher.

"Because, mon ami, it has just