, Mayfair.
He sent up his card by the parlour maid with the request that Miss
Craven would grant him an interview. He was asked to wait and was kept
waiting the best part of three quarters of an hour while Auriole
completed her toilet. When at last she entered she did not show the
least enthusiasm for his presence but asked rather shortly what he
wanted.

"I'm tired," she added, "so be as quick as you can."

"All right," he said. "It's only this. You were an old flame of
Barraclough's?"

"Well?"

"How long is it since last you met?"

"Until last night--four years, I suppose."

"Hm! Had he changed at all?"

"Changed?"

"In appearance--er--manner."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Bit more amusing perhaps--less of a prig."

"Ah!" said Smith. "Go on--anything else?"

"He seemed to have learnt how to smile."

Harrison Smith leapt to his feet and paced up and down.

"I knew I was right," he said, "but what the deuce does it mean?
Anything else to tell me?"

"Yes. Sit down, for Heaven's sake. My head's aching and you irritate
me walking about."

He obeyed and continued his interrogation.

"In love with him once, weren't you?"

"Once," she replied.

"And you've no very good reason for wishing him well?"

"I've a very particular reason for wishing him ill."

"Hm! His engagement to Miss Irish?"

"Perhaps."

"How did you come to be mixed up in this affair?"

"I happened to know Mr. Hipps and heard what was going on through him.
It was my idea--kidnapping Anthony. Doubt if they'd have had the nerve
to think of it for themselves."

"D'you think they'll get him to talk?"

"I don't think _they_ will get him to talk," she replied, "but----"

"Yes?"

"But I could. He's a tough proposition among men but a woman can worm
a secret out of him--at least----" She stopped and shook her head.

"Yes?"

"That used to be my impression."

"Has it altered then?"

"I'm not quite so certain as I used to be. He was different last
night----"

Harrison Smith leant forward.

"Tell me," he said, very earnestly, "did you notice anything queer
about his eyes?"

"I don't know."

"Try to remember."

"Four years is a long while."

"But to a woman like you."

"I believe something struck me--they puckered at the corners a
bit--rather attractively."

"That's it," said Harrison Smith. "That's exactly it. Lord, I wish I
could understand."

"What's troubling you?"

"Just a crazy idea--