ontrollable laughter. "Oh! The humour of it--don't you see?
They'll be terrified--it will threaten the honour of the House. They
will all go running round to get the letters back; that girl will have
a good time--and that, of course, is just where I come in."

"I don't see," said Mary.

"Why, it's just what I've been watching for. Harry Trojan
arrives--Harry Trojan is no good--Harry Trojan is despised--but
suddenly he holds the key to the situation. Presto! The family on
their knees----"

Mary looked at him in astonishment. It was, she thought, unlike him to
exult like this over the misfortunes of his sister; she was a little
disappointed. "It is really rather serious," she said, "for your
sister, I mean. You know what Pendragon is. If they once get wind of
the affair there will be a great deal of talk."

"Ah, yes!" he said gravely. "You mustn't think me a brute for laughing
like that. But I'm thinking of Robin. If you knew how I cared for the
boy--what this means. Why, it brings him to my feet--if I carry the
thing out properly." Then quickly, "You don't think they've got back
the letters already?"

"They haven't had time--unless they've gone to-day. Besides, the
girl's not likely to give them up easily. But, of course, I don't
really know if that's how the case lies--mother's account was very
confused. Only I am certain that Mrs. Feverel thinks she has a pull
somewhere; and she said something about letters."

"I will go at once," Harry said, walking quickly. "I can never be
grateful enough to you. Where do they live?"

"10 Seaview Terrace," she answered. "A little dingy street past the
church and Breadwater Place--it faces the sea."

"And the girl--what is she like?"

"I've only seen her about twice. I should say tall, thin, dark--rather
wonderful eyes in a very pale face; dresses rather well in an aesthetic
kind of way."

He said very little more, and she did not interrupt his thoughts. She
was surprised to find that she was a little jealous of Robin, the
interest in her own affairs had been very sweet to her, the remembrance
of it now sent the blood to her cheeks, but this news seemed to have
driven his thought for her entirely out of his head.

Suddenly, at the bend of the little lane leading up to the town, they
came upon her father, flying a huge blue kite. The kite soared above
his head; he watched it, his body bent back, his arm straining at the
cord. He saw them and pulle