time Geoffrey stood alone for a few minutes looking out into the
moonlit night. "I am growing brutally suspicious, and poor Millicent
has suffered--she can't well hide it," he told himself. "Well, we were
fond of each other once, and, whether it's her husband or adversity,
whenever I can help her, I must try to do so." It was the revolt of an
open nature against the evidence of his senses, but even while Geoffrey
framed this resolution something seemed to whisper, "Was she ever fond
of you? There is that in the woman's voice which does not ring true."

He had hardly turned back to rejoin the other members of his party when
a business acquaintance met him.

"I want you to spare a few minutes for a countryman who has been
inquiring about you," said the man. "Mr. Leslie, this is Mr.
Thurston--the secretary of the Industrial Enterprise!"

The business acquaintance withdrew, and Geoffrey's lips set tight as he
turned towards Leslie who betrayed a certain uneasiness in spite of his
nonchalant manner. He was a dark-haired man with a pale face, which
had grown more heavy and sensual than it was as Geoffrey remembered it.

"I don't know whether I should say this is a pleasure," Leslie remarked
lightly. "There is no use disguising the fact that we last met under
somewhat unfortunate circumstances, but I give you my word that it was
too late to suggest that my employers should choose another emissary
when I discovered your identity. Where commercial interests are
concerned, surely we can both rise superior to mere sentiment."

"There are things which it is uncommonly hard to forget," Geoffrey
replied coldly. "The question is, however-- What do you want with
me?" He meant his tone and pose to be anything but conciliatory.

"I want the favor of a business interview before you return," said
Leslie, trying to hide his discomfiture, and Geoffrey answered:

"That is hardly possible. I return early to-morrow."

"Can you drive over to my quarters now?"

"No. I desire to see my chief before I go."

"It is confoundedly unfortunate," Leslie commented, apparently glad of
some excuse for expressing his disgust. "Well, perhaps nobody will
disturb us for a few minutes in yonder corridor. You can regard me as
a servant of the Industrial Enterprise. Will you listen to what I have
to say?"

"I'm ready to listen to the great Company's secretary," said Geoffrey,
with a bluntness under which the other winced, as he turned to