iss Raven,
almost indignantly.

He smiled, showing a set of very white, strong teeth.

"That depends on Mr. Middlebrook," he said. "If Mr. Middlebrook
behaves like a good and reasonable boy--Mr. Middlebrook," he went on,
interrupting himself and turning on me with a direct look, "a plain
question? Are you armed?"

"Armed!" I retorted scornfully. "Do you think I carry a revolver on an
innocent country stroll?"

"We do!" he answered with another smile. "You see, we don't know with
whom we may meet. It was a million to one--perhaps more--against our
meeting anybody this afternoon, yet--we've met you."

"We are sorry to have interrupted you," I said, not without a touch of
satirical meaning. "We won't interrupt any longer if you will permit
us to say good-day."

I motioned to Miss Raven to follow me, and made to move. But Baxter
laughed a little and shook his head.

"I'm not sure that we can allow that, just yet," he said. "It is
unfortunate--I offer a thousand apologies to Miss Raven, but business
is business, and--"

"Do you mean to tell me that you intend to interfere with our
movements, just because you chance to find us here?" I demanded. "If
so--"

"Don't let us quarrel or get excited," he said, with another wave of
his hand. "I have said that no harm shall come to you--a little
temporary inconvenience, perhaps, but--however, excuse me for a
moment."

He stepped back to his companion; together they began to whisper,
occasionally glancing at us.

"What does he mean?" murmured Miss Raven. "Do they want to keep
us--here?"

"I don't know what they intend," I said. "But--don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," she answered. "Only--I've a pretty good idea of who
it is that we've come across! And--so have you?"

"Yes," I replied. "Unfortunately, I have. And--we're at their mercy.
There's nothing for it but to obey, I think."

Baxter suddenly turned back to us. It was clear that his mind was made
up.

"Miss Raven--Mr. Middlebrook," he said. "I'm sorry, but we can't let
you go. The fact is, you've had the bad luck to light on a certain
affair of ours about which we can't take any chances. We have a yacht
lying outside here--you'll have to go with us on board and to remain
there for a day or two. I assure you, no harm shall come to either of
you. And as we want to get on with our work here--will you please to
come, now?"

We went--silently. There was nothing else to do. In a similar silence
they led us th