e time. I wrote to Devonshire, because
I had been previously informed that she had been obliged to return home
on account of her health.

Three days later I got her reply.

'"Dear Captain Luscombe," she wrote, "I am awfully interested to hear
that you are back in England; of course you will come and see us.
Father insists that you shall, and you must _be sure_ to bring your
friend. _I shall take no refusal_. If you can give me his address, I
will write to him at once, although, seeing we have never met, I think
it will be better for you to convey my message. Tell him that I
_insist_ on you both coming as soon as possible. I have heaps of
things to tell you, but I can't write them. Besides, as we shall be
seeing each other soon, there is no need. Telegraph at once the time
you will arrive, and remember that I cannot possibly hear of any excuse
whatever from either of you."'

Edgecumbe having informed me of his whereabouts, I went to see him, and
showed him the letter.

'Why on earth should she want to see me?' he asked.

'I don't know, except that I told her about our meeting,' I replied.
'She took a tremendous interest in you. Don't you remember?

For a few seconds there was a far-away look in his eyes, then evidently
he came to a decision.

'Yes, I'll go,' he said, 'I will. I--I--think----' But he did not
finish his sentence.

A few days later, we were on our way to Devonshire together, I little
realizing the influence our visit would have on the future.

CHAPTER XV

DEVONSHIRE

Before leaving for England, I had learned that Captain Springfield was
at a base hospital, and that although he was in a bad way, and not fit
to return home, there were good hopes of his recovery. Of St. Mabyn I
had heard nothing, but I imagined that very possibly Lorna Bolivick
would have news of him. As I have said before, Lorna's letter, written
on receipt of Paul Edgecumbe's photograph, had dispelled whatever ideas
I had entertained about his being identical with Maurice St. Mabyn. Of
course it was unthinkable, after what she had said. She had been so
pronounced in her statement that Edgecumbe's face was altogether
strange to her, and that she had never seen one like it before, that I
was obliged to abandon all my former suspicions; and yet, at the back
of my mind, I could not help believing that Edgecumbe and Springfield
were not strangers.

Of another thing, too, I was certain. He had been an officer i