only just heard of it."

"Arrested Silva?" said the girl in surprise. "That is news to me. What
is the charge?"

"I didn't quite understand what the charge was. I know he's arrested,"
said Lollie. "The colonel has advised me to get out as quickly as I can.
And there's a big chance for me, Miss White. I'm going to be married!"

She blurted the words out, and Maisie stared at her. Somehow she had
never thought of Lollie Marsh as a person who would get married, and it
was amazing to see the confusion and shyness in which her confession had
thrown her.

"I congratulate you with all my heart," said Maisie. "Who is the
fortunate man?"

"I can't tell you. Yes, I will," said the girl. "I'll trust you. I'm
marrying Jack Crewe."

"Crewe? I remember. Mr. King spoke about him. But isn't he one of
the--isn't he a friend of the colonel?"

Lollie nodded.

"Yes, but we're going away to-night. That is why I came to see you."

Maisie White clasped the girl's hands in hers.

"You yourself are facing a great happiness and a beautiful life,"
pleaded Lollie, her eyes filling with tears. "Can't you feel some
sympathy with me? For I want love and happiness and security more even
than you, because you have never known anything of the dreadful
apprehensions and uncertainties such as I have passed through. And I
want you to help me in this. I'm not going to ask you to influence Mr.
King to do anything but his duty. But I want just a chance for Jack."

Maisie shook her head.

"I don't know that I can promise that," she said. "Mr. King has always
spoken of your friend as one of the least dangerous of the gang. When
are you leaving?"

"To-night."

"To-night? But how?"

"That's a secret."

"But it is a secret I won't reveal," smiled Maisie.

"By aeroplane," said Lollie after a moment's hesitation, and told the
story of Pinto's preparation.

"You'd better not tell me where you're going," warned Maisie, but she
didn't stop Lollie in time. "Well, I wish you luck and I'll do my best
for you." She stopped and kissed the girl.

"There's one warning I want to give you, Miss White," said Lollie as she
stood in the doorway. "The colonel is a desperate man and I don't think
somehow that he's coming through this with his life. He's been a good
friend of mine up to a point and according to his lights, but you've
been good and Mr. King has been more than good. Beware of the colonel
now that you have him at bay! That is all!"

Then she