pers into a cupboard, casting a scarcely perceptible glance
at the clock as she did so.

I took the hint and rose. Instantly she was all smiles.

"You have forgotten something, Mr. Trevitt. Surely you do not intend to
carry away with you my key to the bungalow."

"I was thinking of it," I returned lightly. "I am not quite through with
that key." Then before she could recover from her surprise, I added with
such suavity as I had been able to acquire in my intercourse with my
more cultivated clients:

"I have to thank you, Mrs. Carew, for an hour of thrilling interest.
Absorbed though I am in the present mystery, my mind has room for the
old one. Possibly because there is sometimes a marked connection between
old family events and new. There may be some such connection in this
case. I should like the opportunity of assuring myself there is not."

She said nothing; I thought I understood why. More suavely yet, I
continued, with a slight, a very slight movement toward the door:
"Rarely have I had the pleasure of listening to such a tale read by such
an interpreter. It will always remain in my memory, Mrs. Carew. But the
episode is over and I return to my present duty and the bungalow."

"The bungalow! You are going back to the bungalow?"

"Immediately."

"What for? Didn't you see all there was to see?"

"Not quite."

"I don't know what there can be left."

"Nothing of consequence, most likely, but you can not wish me to have
any doubts on the subject."

"No, no, of course not."

The carelessness of her tone did not communicate itself to her manner.
Seeing that my unexpected proposition had roused her alarm, I grew wary
and remarked:

"I was always overscrupulous."

With a lift of her shoulders--a dainty gesture which I congratulated
myself I could see unmoved--she held out her hand in a mute appeal for
the key, but seeing that I was not to be shaken in my purpose, reached
for the wrap she had tossed on a chair and tied it again over her head.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"Accompany you," she declared.

"Again? I thought the place frightened you."

"It does," she replied. "I had rather visit any other spot in the whole
world; but if it is your intention to go back there, it is mine to go
with you."

"You are very good," I replied.

But I was seriously disconcerted notwithstanding. I had reckoned, upon a
quiet hour in the bungalow by myself; moreover, I did not understand her
motive for n