and I don't think you could have a better friend."

Lydia glowed at the generosity of this girl whom the man had so
maligned.

"He has been very good to me," she said, "although, of course, he is a
little fussy."

Jean's lips twitched with amusement.

"Has he warned you against me?" she asked solemnly. "Has he told you
what a terrible ogre I am?" And then without waiting for a reply: "I
sometimes think poor Jack is just a little--well, I wouldn't say mad,
but a little queer. His dislikes are so violent. He positively loathes
Margaret, though why I have never been able to understand."

"He doesn't hate me," laughed Lydia, and Jean looked at her strangely.

"No, I suppose not," she said. "I can't imagine anybody hating you,
Lydia. May I call you by your Christian name?"

"I wish you would," said Lydia warmly.

"I can't imagine anybody hating you," repeated the girl thoughtfully.
"And, of course, Jack wouldn't hate you because you're his client--a
very rich and attractive client too, my dear." She tapped the girl's
cheek and Lydia, for some reason, felt foolish.

But as though unconscious of the embarrassment she had caused, Jean went
on.

"I don't really blame him, either. I've a shrewd suspicion that all
these warnings against me and against other possible enemies will
furnish a very excellent excuse for seeing you every day and acting as
your personal bodyguard!"

Lydia shook her head.

"That part of it he has relegated already," she said, giving smile for
smile. "He has appointed Mr. Jaggs as my bodyguard."

"Mr. Jaggs?" The tone was even, the note of inquiry was not strained.

"He's an old gentleman in whom Mr. Glover is interested, an old army
pensioner. Beyond the fact that he hasn't the use of his right arm, and
limps with his left leg, and that he likes beer and cheese, he seems an
admirable watch dog," said Lydia humorously.

"Jaggs?" repeated the girl. "I wonder where I've heard that name before.
Is he a detective?"

"No, I don't think so. But Mr. Glover thinks I ought to have some sort
of man sleeping in my new flat and Jaggs was duly engaged."

Soon after this Mr. Marcus Stepney came over and Lydia found him rather
uninteresting. Less boring was Briggerland, for he had a fund of stories
and experiences to relate, and he had, too, one of those soft soothing
voices that are so rare in men.

It was dark when she came out with Mr. and Miss Briggerland, and she
felt that the afternoon had not