grey
moustache, which failed to hide a weak thin mouth, and a very obvious
wig concealed his baldness. His clothes had seen plenty of service and
his linen was doubtful. He had evidently ordered some brandy
immediately on his entrance, and his eyes met mine just as he was in the
act of raising the glass to his lips. I am convinced that he had no
idea then who I was, but the earnestness of my gaze seemed to disturb
him. He set down his glass with shaking fingers, and directed his
companion's attention towards me.

They talked together earnestly for several moments. I fancied that she
was reproving him for showing alarm at my notice. Very soon, however,
she herself, after giving an order to a waiter, turned slightly round in
her chair, and glanced with well-affected carelessness across at me. I
saw her start and look apprehensively at her companion. He took the
alarm at once, and I heard his eager question.

"Who is it? Who is it, Maud?"

She made him some reassuring answer, and, rising to her feet, came over
to my table. I rose to greet her, and she slipped quietly into the
chair opposite to me.

"What are you doing here?" she asked quickly.

"I have just arrived from Braster," I answered. "I came here by
accident to get something to eat. Is that--"

I could not go on, but she finished the sentence for me.

"Yes!"

I set my teeth hard and looked steadily down at the tablecloth. I felt
rather than saw that her regard was compassionate.

"I am sorry," she murmured. "I would not have brought him here if I had
known. You two are better apart. Talk to me as naturally as you can.
He has no idea who you are."

"Has he been ill?" I asked.

"Very. I found him in a hospital. He has been ill, and the rest you
can guess."

Even while we were talking I saw him toss off another glass of brandy
which the waiter had brought him. And all the time his eyes never left
my face.

"I thought," I said, "that he had money."

"It has all gone," she answered, "and--well, things are not very
flourishing with him. Our mission over here has been unsuccessful, and
they have stopped sending us money from Paris. How queer that I should
be telling you this!" she added, with a hard little laugh, "you, of all
people in the world. Guy, take my advice. Get up and go. If he
guesses who you are he will come and speak to you--and you are better
apart."

It was too late. With fascinated eyes I watched him leave his place and
come towards u