hat else she
said he lent no ear, being suddenly brought back to his fears at the
mention of that gentleman's name.

"Mr. Caryll! Save us! What is keeping him?" he cried. "Can they--can
they--"

The door opened, and Mr. Caryll walked in, ushered by the hostess. Both
turned to confront him, Hortensia's eyes swollen from her weeping.

"Well?" quoth his lordship. "Did they find nothing?"

Mr. Caryll advanced with the easy, graceful carriage that was one of his
main charms, his clothes so skilfully restored by Leduc that none could
have guessed the severity of the examination they had undergone.

"Since I am here, and alone, your lordship may conclude such to be the
case. Mr. Green is preparing for departure. He is very abject;
very chap-fallen. I am almost sorry for Mr. Green. I am by nature
sympathetic. I have promised to make my complaint to my Lord Carteret.
And so, I trust there is an end to a tiresome matter."

"But then, sir?" quoth his lordship. "But then--are you the bearer of no
letter?"

Mr. Caryll shot a swift glance over his shoulder at the door. He
deliberately winked at the earl. "Did your lordship expect letters?"
he inquired. "That was scarcely reason enough to suppose me a courier.
There is some mistake, I imagine."

Between the wink and the words his lordship was bewildered.

Mr. Caryll turned to the lady, bowing. Then he waved a hand over the
downs. "A fine view," said he airily, and she stared at him. "I shall
treasure sweet memories of Maidstone." Her stare grew stonier. Did
he mean the landscape or some other matter? His tone was difficult to
read--a feature peculiar to his tone.

"Not so shall I, sir," she made answer. "I shall never think of it other
than with burning cheeks--unless it be with gratitude to your shrewdness
which saved me."

"No more, I beg. It is a matter painful to you to dwell on. Let me
exhort you to forget it. I have already done so."

"That is a sweet courtesy in you."

"I am compounded of sweet courtesy," he informed her modestly.

His lordship spoke of departure, renewing his offer to carry Mr. Caryll
to town in his chaise. Meanwhile, Mr. Caryll was behaving curiously. He
was tiptoeing towards the door, along the wall, where he was out of line
with the keyhole. He reached it suddenly, and abruptly pulled it open.
There was a squeal, and Mr. Green rolled forward into the room. Mr.
Caryll kicked him out again before he could rise, and called Leduc
to throw him