arted in and out among the walks. For several
minutes two dark figures played at vigorous hide-and-seek. Occasionally
gravel crunched underfoot and shrubbery snapped back with a sharp swish
where it was caught and held for support at corners. Pursued and pursuer
were alike silent; the scene was like a pantomime.

Then the tables seemed to be turned; the bulkier figure of the pursuer
was now in flight; and Shirley lost both for a moment, but immediately a
dark form rose at the wall; she heard the scratch of feet upon the brick
surface as a man gained the top, turned and lifted his arm as though
aiming a weapon.

Then a dark object, hurled through the air, struck him squarely in the
face and he tumbled over the wall, and Shirley heard him crash through
the hedge of the neighboring estate, then all was quiet again.

The game of hide-and-seek in the garden and the scramble over the wall
had consumed only two or three minutes, and Shirley now waited, her eyes
bent upon the darkly-outlined pergola for some manifestation from the
remaining intruder. A man now walked rapidly toward the veranda, carrying
a cloak on his arm. She recognized Armitage instantly. He doffed his hat
and bowed. The lights of the house lamps shone full upon him, and she saw
that he was laughing a little breathlessly.

"This is really fortunate, Miss Claiborne. I owe your house an apology,
and if you will grant me audience I will offer it to you."

He threw the cloak over his shoulder and fanned himself with his hat.

"You are a most informal person, Mr. Armitage," said Shirley coldly.

"I'm afraid I am! The most amazing ill luck follows me! I had dropped in
to enjoy the quiet and charm of your garden, but the tranquil life is not
for me. There was another gentleman, equally bent on enjoying the
pergola. We engaged in a pretty running match, and because I was fleeter
of foot he grew ugly and tried to put me out of commission."

He was still laughing, but Shirley felt that he was again trying to make
light of a serious situation, and a further tie of secrecy with Armitage
was not to her liking. As he walked boldly to the veranda steps, she
stepped back from him.

"No! No! This is impossible--it will not do at all, Mr. Armitage. It is
not kind of you to come here in this strange fashion."

"In this way forsooth! How could I send in my card when I was being
chased all over the estate! I didn't mean to apologize for coming"--and
he laughed again, wi