cville Sylvia would not go to the Casino as often as she had been in
the habit of doing.

There was a pause--and then again Madame Wachner asked the Englishman a
question:

"Perhaps you will go on to Switzerland, leaving Mrs. Bailey here, and
then come back for her?"

"Perhaps I shall," he said heavily, without really thinking of what he
was saying.

They were now walking along broad, shady roads which reminded him of
those in a well-kept London suburb. Not a sound issued from any of the
houses which stood in gardens on either side, and in the moonlight he saw
that they were all closely shuttered. It might almost have been a little
township of empty houses.

Again the thought crossed his mind what a dangerous place these lonely
roads might be to a man carrying a lot of gold and notes on his person.
They had not met a single policeman, or, indeed, anyone, after they had
left the side of the lake.

At last Madame Wachner stopped short before a large wooden door.

'"Ere we are!" she said briskly. "I presume they are expecting you, sir?
If they are not expecting you, they will probably 'ave all gone to bed.
So we will wait, will we not, Ami Fritz, and see this gentleman safe in?
If the worst came to the worst, you could come with us to our villa and
sleep there the night."

"You are awfully kind!" said Chester heartily--and, indeed, he did feel
this entire stranger's kindness exceptional.

How fortunate that Sylvia had come across such a nice, simple, kindly
woman in such a queer place as Lacville!

But Madame Wachner's good-natured proposal had never to be seriously
considered, for when her vigorous hand found and pulled the bell there
came sounds in the courtyard beyond, and a moment later the door swung
open.

"Who's there?" cried M. Malfait in a loud voice.

"It is the English gentleman, Mrs. Bailey's friend," said Madame Wachner
quickly; and at once the Frenchman's voice softened.

"Ah! we had quite given up M'sieur," he said amiably. "Come in, come in!
Yes, the bag has arrived; but people often send their luggage before they
come themselves. Just as they sometimes leave their luggage after they
themselves have departed!"

Chester was shaking hands cordially with the Wachners.

"Thank you for all your kindness," he said heartily. "I hope we shall
meet again soon! I shall certainly be here for some days. Perhaps you
will allow me to call on you?"

Once the good-natured couple had walked off arm in a