eyes for he was very active in marshalling his forces for
departure.

"I think, gentlemen," he said, "we might meet tomorrow to discuss our
obligation to Mr. Frencham Altar--an obligation by no means covered by
the small arrangement we made with him." He grasped Richard warmly by
the hand and there was moisture at the corners of his eyes. "What a
splendid boy you are," he said. "Lord, but youth and adventure is a
wonderful partnership, with a dash of romance thrown in as a prize.
It's been a great game--hasn't it? A real tough fight. Great fun.
Good night."

Even Cassis had something nice to say before they took their leave and
left the man and the girl together.

Then Richard looked at Auriole and grinned, perhaps because her
expression was so desperately serious.

"Couldn't you smile at a chap?" he asked.

She wrapped her cloak around her.

"You don't understand," she said. "Everything seems good to you at the
moment--even me."

He shook his head whimsically.

"Don't say me that piece," he begged. "It sounds horrid. Where are
you going?"

"I don't belong here," she answered.

"For that matter, neither do I, but I dare say I could extend my lease
for another half hour--even though it did expire at eleven o'clock."

She came down and faced him.

"Listen," she said. "I don't want to be a nuisance to you and I won't
be."

"You will be if you keep going to that door."

"I don't even know your name, but if you look at me like that, with
laughter in your eyes--if you play the fool at such a time as this--how
can I possibly keep my resolve."

"What resolve?"

"To go away and never come back."

"Come here," said Richard Frencham Altar, "come here at once."

"Oh, please," she pleaded. "Honestly, my dear, I'm not up to much and
I know you are going to think I am. Oh, what are you going to do?"

This because his arms had gone round her and he had raised her chin to
the level of his own.

"I'm going to start on the greatest adventure of all," he answered.

THE END.

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