coat.

In a twinkling he had them out, and, rising to his feet, he held a
heavy string of diamonds towards the girl.

"Madam," he cried, "permit me to befriend you. I do not know who you
are, but--"

His voice trailed away into a little gasp, for the frightened face
that stared at him in the moonlight with starting eyes was the face
of the lady he was seeking.

Paul stood still gazing mutely at the girl and holding out the jewels
towards her.

When he had recovered from his great surprise he moved a step nearer
to her.

"Madam," he said, "permit me to insist that you shall take these
things back."

Without a word she stretched out her hand and took the jewels from
him. She hid them quickly in the folds of her cloak, and all the while
the expression of amaze and fear on her face did not abate.

At last she pointed to the man lying beneath the tree.

"You have not killed him?" she asked, in a low voice.

For answer, Paul turned again and knelt at the fat man's side. He
inserted his hand skilfully over the unconscious man's heart, and
then rose to his feet again.

"No," he said, almost with a laugh. "Just knocked him out; that is
all. He will be all right directly, and I fancy he will be glad to
walk away without assistance. I imagine he is not a character who
would care for much fuss and attention at this time of the night."

Again Paul drew near to the girl and peered gravely and keenly, but at
the same time with all deference, into her face.

"I think," he said quietly, "that it will be better for you to walk
away while we are still undisturbed. If you will allow me, I will
accompany you toward the hotel. If I may be permitted to say so, it is
hardly fitting that a lady carrying so much property about with her
should be strolling here unattended."

His tones were so kind and cheering that the lady smiled back at him.

"At least," she said, "you are a very sturdy escort."

She walked beside him without saying anything more, apparently
satisfied to be in his charge.

Paul said not another word except, "This is the way," and then,
guiding the girl through the trees, he reached the main path and
helped her to step over the low iron railing; thence he piloted her in
silence until the hotel was in sight.

As the building loomed up in the darkness, Paul stopped, and said
earnestly:

"I trust you will permit me to wait and see you safely on your road.
Apparently one never knows what may happen, and, b