heard of the Ashurst will case. He also lingered long about
the Maharajah's compartment, and then went back to confer with the
detective. Thus, putting two and two together, as a woman will, I came
to the conclusion that the spy did not expect us to leave the train
before we reached Edinburgh. That told in our favour. Most men trust
much to just such vague expectations. They form a theory, and then
neglect the adverse chances. You can only get the better of a skilled
detective by taking him thus, psychologically and humanly.

By this time, I confess, I felt almost like a criminal. Never in my life
had danger loomed so near--not even when we returned with the Arabs from
the oasis. For then we feared for our lives alone; now, we feared for
our honour.

I drew a card from my case before we left Berwick station, and scribbled
a few hasty words on it in German. 'We are watched. A detective! If we
run through to Edinburgh, we shall doubtless be arrested or at least
impeded. This train will stop at Dunbar for one minute. Just before it
leaves again, get out as quietly as you can--at the last moment. I will
also get out and join you. Let Partab go on; it will excite less
attention. The scheme I suggest is the only safe plan. If you agree, as
soon as we have well started from Berwick, shake your handkerchief
unobtrusively out of your carriage window.'

[Illustration: I BECKONED A PORTER.]

I beckoned a porter noiselessly without one word. The detective was now
strolling along the fore-part of the train, with his back turned towards
me, peering as he went into all the windows. I gave the porter a
shilling. 'Take this to a black gentleman in the next carriage but one,'
I said, in a confidential whisper. The porter touched his hat, nodded,
smiled, and took it.

Would Harold see the necessity for acting on my advice?-- I wondered. I
gazed out along the train as soon as we had got well clear of Berwick. A
minute--two minutes--three minutes passed; and still no handkerchief. I
began to despair. He was debating, no doubt. If he refused, all was
lost, and we were disgraced for ever.

At last, after long waiting, as I stared still along the whizzing line,
with the smoke in my eyes, and the dust half blinding me, I saw, to my
intense relief, a handkerchief flutter. It fluttered once, not markedly,
then a black hand withdrew it. Only just in time, for even as it
disappeared, the detective's head thrust itself out of a farther window.