ssibly get there
before four this afternoon?' she asked, and he informed her that he
could just do so by leaving almost at once, which he was very willing
to do, though by so forestalling his time he would lose the projected
morning with her and the rest at the Palazzo Doria.

'I may tell you that I shall not go to the Palazzo Doria either, if
it is any consolation to you to know it,' was her reply. 'I shall sit
indoors and think of you on your journey.'

The answer admitted of two translations, and conjectures thereon filled
the gallant soldier's mind during the greater part of the journey. He
arrived at the hotel they had all stayed at in succession about six
hours after Somerset had left it for a little excursion to San Remo and
its neighbourhood, as a means of passing a few days till Paula should
write again to inquire why he had not come on. De Stancy saw no one he
knew, and in obedience to Paula's commands he promptly set off on foot
for the Pont-Neuf.

Though opposed to the architect as a lover, De Stancy felt for him as
a poor devil in need of money, having had experiences of that sort
himself, and he was really anxious that the needful supply entrusted
to him should reach Somerset's hands. He was on the bridge five minutes
before the hour, and when the clock struck a hand was laid on his
shoulder: turning he beheld Dare.

Knowing that the youth was loitering somewhere along the coast, for they
had frequently met together on De Stancy's previous visit, the latter
merely said, 'Don't bother me for the present, Willy, I have an
engagement. You can see me at the hotel this evening.'

'When you have given me the hundred pounds I will fly like a rocket,
captain,' said the young gentleman. 'I keep the appointment instead of
the other man.'

De Stancy looked hard at him. 'How--do you know about this?' he asked
breathlessly.

'I have seen him.'

De Stancy took the young man by the two shoulders and gazed into his
eyes. The scrutiny seemed not altogether to remove the suspicion which
had suddenly started up in his mind. 'My soul,' he said, dropping his
arms, 'can this be true?'

'What?'

'You know.'

Dare shrugged his shoulders; 'Are you going to hand over the money or
no?' he said.

'I am going to make inquiries,' said De Stancy, walking away with a
vehement tread.

'Captain, you are without natural affection,' said Dare, walking by his
side, in a tone which showed his fear that he had over-estimated