winkling glance in her direction. "Also, my
cousin, someone wants you in the next room."

"Who is it?" said Hilda.

"Don't ask me," said Noel.

She hesitated momentarily. "Well, I suppose I must go. But mind, Noel,
you are not to smoke in here."

"Say please!" said Noel imperturbably.

"Please!" said Hilda obediently.

He rose and accompanied her to the door. "Madam, your wishes shall be
respected."

He opened the door with a flourish, bowed her out, closed it, and softly
turned the key.

Then he wheeled round to his sister with gleaming eyes. "That's done the
trick, I bet. Trevor has just turned up with Jack. But you needn't be
afraid. I shan't let him in."

"What!" said Chris.

She started up, uttering the word like a cry.

Noel left the door swiftly, and came to her. "It's all right, old girl.
Don't you worry yourself. We'll hold the fort, never fear. He shan't come
in here, unless you say the word."

Chris's hands clutched him with feverish strength. Her face was deathly.
"Oh, Noel!" she breathed. "Oh, Noel!"

He hugged her reassuringly. "It's all right, I tell you. Don't get in a
blue funk for nothing. He's not coming in here to bully you."

But Chris only clung faster to him, not breathing. The sudden shock had
sent all the blood to her heart. She felt choked and powerless.

"There! Lie down again," said Noel. "I'm here. I'll take care of you. I
knew he would turn up again; it's what I've been waiting for. But I swear
he shan't come near you against your will. That's enough, isn't it? You
know you are safe with me."

She could not answer him, but she crouched back upon the sofa in response
to his persuasion. She was shaking from head to foot.

Noel sat solidly down beside her. "Don't be frightened," he said. "We're
going to have some fun."

"What--what can he have come for?" whispered Chris.

"Goodness knows! But he isn't going to get it, anyway. Good old Hilda!
She went like a bird, didn't she? I call this rather amusing."

Noel began to whistle under his breath, obviously enjoying the situation
to the utmost.

But Chris restrained him. "I want to listen," she murmured piteously.

He became silent at once, and several seconds crawled away, accompanied
by no sound save the interminable buzzing of a fly on the window-pane.

Noel arose at length and with a single swoop of the hand captured and
killed it. Then he went back to Chris.

"I say, don't look so scared! No one is going to hurt