you want me to do?"

"Either because of my presence or because of what has happened--or
perhaps normally--you have at least four men about the grounds, two of
whom seem to be constantly on duty to observe any one who may approach."

"Or try to leave."

"Precisely."

"There are more than two."

"I was stating the minimum."

"Well?"

"I wish you to order them to let me pass and go to a place perhaps ten
minutes' walk from here. If you do so, I will return at the latest
within half an hour" (he glanced at his watch) "--to be definite,
before a quarter of eleven."

"Why should I do this?"

He came close to her and faced her. "What do you think of me now, Miss
Santoine?"

"Why--"

"You are quite certain now, are you not, that I had nothing to do with
the attack on your father--that is, in any other connection than that
the attack might be meant for me. I denied yesterday that the men in
the automobile meant to run me down; you did not accept that denial. I
may as well admit to you that I know perfectly well they meant to kill
me; the man on the train also meant to kill me. They are likely to try
again to kill me."

"We recognize that too," she answered. "The men on watch about the
house are warned to protect you as well as watch you."

"I appreciate that."

"But are they all you have to fear, Mr. Eaton?" She was thinking of
Donald Avery.

He seemed to recognize what was in her mind; his eyes, as he gazed
intently at her, clouded, then darkened still more with some succeeding
thought. "No, not all."

"And it will aid you to--to protect yourself if you see your friend
to-night?"

"Yes."

"But why should not one of Father's men be with you?"

"Unless I were alone, my friend would not appear."

"I see."

He moved away from her, then came back; the importance to him of what
he was asking was very plain to her--he was shaking nervously with it.
"Miss Santoine," he said intently, "you do not think badly of me now.
I do not have to doubt that; I can see it; you have wanted me to see
it. I ask you to trust me for a few minutes to-night. I cannot tell
you whom I wish to see or why, except that the man comes to do me a
service and to endanger no one--except those trying to injure me."

She herself was trembling with her desire to help him, but recollection
of her father held her back; then swiftly there came to her the thought
of Gabriel Warden; because Warden had tried to help him--in some wa