West, "Why, there's your mother," he cried
and, gripping Dorothy's arm with an enthusiasm that she was convinced
would leave bruises, he guided her across the road. A moment later
Mrs. West was having the greatest difficulty in preserving a straight
face under John Dene's vigorous greeting.

"I've been chasing all over Robin Hood's barn to find you," he cried,
still clasping Mrs. West's hand.

"And according to the papers other people have been doing the same with
you," said Dorothy, deciding in her own mind that John Dene ought to
spend the rest of his life in uniform. It gave him a distinction that
hitherto he had lacked in the ill-cut and ill-made clothes he
habitually wore.

"I found these waiting for me at my hotel," he said, looking down at
himself, as if divining her thoughts. "I ordered them way back," he
added.

"You look very nice, Mr. Dene," said Mrs. West, smiling happily. She
had not yet recovered from her surprise.

"All the girls are turning and envying mother and me," said Dorothy
mischievously.

"Envying you?" John Dene turned upon her a look of interrogation.

"For being with you," she explained.

For some reason John Dene's face fell. Mrs. West hastened to the
rescue.

"We've all been so anxious about you," she smiled. "We--we thought----"

"And shall I get twenty thousand pounds if I give you up to a
policeman?" asked Dorothy. She felt she wanted to cry from sheer
happiness.

"Reward's withdrawn. Haven't you seen the papers?" he said
practically; "but they nearly did for Jim," he added inconsequently.

"Jim!" repeated Dorothy. "Who is Jim?"

"My brother," was the reply. "He took my place and I went north."

"Oooooooh!" Gradually light was dawning upon Dorothy. "Then it wasn't
you who forgot where the stamps were kept and," she added wickedly,
"seemed to disapprove of me so."

"Disapprove of _you_!" John Dene managed to precipitate such a wealth
of meaning into the words that Dorothy felt herself blushing furiously.
Even Mrs. West appeared a little embarrassed at his directness.

"Here, it's about time we had some food," he said, turning his wrist to
see the time.

"We were just going home to dinner," said Mrs. West. "Won't you come
with us?"

"I want you to come right along to my hotel. I've booked a table for
you."

"That's not very complimentary to our attractiveness, Mr. Dene," said
Dorothy.

Again John Dene turned to her with a puzzled look in his eyes.