rey veil, through which her eyes shone. Intent on recovering her
money, she did not notice that the man beside her was looking and
listening with the utmost keenness; nor, on turning away at length, was
she aware that Hugh followed. He pursued her, at a yard's distance,
down the platform, and into the covered passage which leads to another
part of the station. Here, perhaps because the footstep behind her
sounded distinctly, she gave a backward glance, and her veiled eyes met
Carnaby's. At once he stepped to her side. 'I don't think I can be
mistaken,' were his low, cautiously-spoken words, whilst he gazed into
her face with stern fixedness. 'You remember me, Mrs. Maskell, no
doubt.'

'I do not, sir. You certainly _are_ mistaken.'

She replied in a voice which so admirably counterfeited a French accent
that Hugh could not but smile, even whilst setting his teeth in anger
at her impudence.

'Oh! that settles it. As you have two tongues, you naturally have two
names--probably more. I happened to be standing by you at the bookstall
a moment ago. It's a great bore; I was just starting on a journey; but
I must trouble you to come with me to the nearest police station. You
have too much sense to make any fuss about it.'

The woman glanced this way and that. Two or three people were hurrying
through the passage, but they perceived nothing unusual.

'You have a choice,' said Carnaby, 'between my companionship and that
of the policeman. Make up your mind.'

'I don't think you will go so far as that, Mr. Carnaby,' said the
other, with self-possession and in her natural voice.

'Why not?'

'Because I can tell you something that will interest you very
much--something that nobody else can.'

'What do you mean?' he asked roughly.

'It refers to your wife; that's all I need say just now.'

'You are lying.'

'As you please. Let us go.'

She moved on with unhurried step, and turned towards the nearest
cab-rank. Pausing within sight of the vehicles, she looked again at her
companion.

'Would you rather have a little quiet talk with me in a four-wheeler,
or drive straight to----?'

Hugh's brain was in commotion. The hint of secrets concerning his wife
had not its full effect in the moment of utterance; it sounded the
common artifice of a criminal. But Mrs. Maskell's cool audacity gave
significance to her words; the two minutes' walk had made Hugh as much
afraid of her as she could be of him. He stared at her, beset wit