iffly, his geniality vanishing with my rather
curt refusal. "Then I shall take all necessary precautions to prevent
escape." He stepped aside to the hall door. "You may send two men in
here, Ferguson."

They entered quietly, glancing about with some curiosity, but taking
position on either side of me at Seldon's command. Claire stood beside
the table in silence, her glance out the window. Only as we wheeled about
to leave the room did her eyes meet mine. That swift glimpse beneath the
dark lashes caused me to leave the room with swiftly beating heart. At
the door I stole another glance backward but she had sunk into a chair,
her face concealed in her hands. With Seldon ahead, and the two guards
behind, I tramped down the stairs into the basement, and was again locked
within the walls of the strong room.

As the lock clicked I sat down upon the bunk far from being disheartened.
Fate had been playing strange pranks, but I was not left without hope,
for I felt assured I had read correctly the swift message of those
uplifted blue eyes. She had not wished me to accept parole; then there
must be some plan of escape already formulated in her mind. It was
clearly enough to her own interest for me to get safely away; otherwise
she would necessarily have to appear before Clinton, and her testimony
would scarcely pass unchallenged in presence of MacHugh and those others.
To be sure she had told no direct falsehood; it amused me to recall how
carefully she had chosen expression. I had attended the ball for no other
purpose than to once again meet her, a fact of which she had taken the
utmost advantage. Yet why? For what end was this daughter of a loyalist
continually exposing herself in thus protecting me? Why was she
sufficiently interested for so grave a sacrifice? I was not altogether
devoid of conceit, but I could not persuade myself that affection
prompted this action. We had met so briefly, always with me in the role
of hunted fugitive, that it was impossible to conceive that love was the
motive power of control. The thought even was almost preposterous; much
as I should have rejoiced to believe it true the very ridiculousness of
it caused me to smile bitterly. Perhaps her action had some connection
with her brother--her protection of me might also protect him. There was
a thread of mystery running through everything in which Eric's name
continually figured. I had not seen him, was not even convinced he was in
the Jerseys, y