here was no sign of distress on the
Frenchwoman's face. On the contrary, those big dark eyes of hers, which
could be so languorous, looked hard as glass as she smiled at me and
nodded at Jim.

Her voice was soft, however, when she answered Ralston's question.

"Ah, my poor Major!" she gently bleated. "You have all my sympathy. I
could say nothing. But I always feared--I feared this would come!"

Ralston braced himself. "You know something, then?" he exclaimed. "You
have something to tell me!"

"I do know something--yes," she said. "But whether I have something to
tell--ah, that is different. I must think first."

"You mean, you wish to consult Paul," he prompted her. "But I can't wait
for that. For heaven's sake, Mrs. Jennings, speak out; don't keep me in
suspense."

"I did not mean to consult Paul," Gaby replied. "When I read your note I
told Paul you asked me to come over alone, though it was not true. It is
better that we talk without Paul listening."

"Shall Jim and I go away?" I asked quickly, speaking not to her, but to
Ralston.

"No," he answered. "Mrs. Jennings can have nothing to say about Rosemary
which I wouldn't care for you and Jim to hear."

I saw from Gaby's face that this verdict annoyed her, but she shrugged
her pretty shoulders. "As you will," she said. "For me, I would rather
Sir James and Lady Courtenaye were not here. But what matter? You would
repeat to them what passes between us."

"Doubtless I should," Ralston agreed. "Now tell me what you have to
tell, I beg."

"It is a very big thing," Gaby began. "Rosemary did not want me to tell.
She offered me bribes. I refused, because I would not bind myself. Yet
there is a favour you could do for me--for us--Major Murray. If you
would promise--I could not resist giving up Rosemary's secret."

Ralston's face had hardened. I saw his dislike of her and what she
suggested. But he could not afford to refuse, and perhaps lose all
chance of finding his wife.

"Will what you have to tell help me to get Rosemary back?" he asked.

"Yes--if after you have heard you still want her back," Gaby hedged. "I
can tell you where she is likely to be."

"Nothing on God's earth you could tell would make me not want her back!"
he cried. "What is this favour you speak of?"

"It is only that I ask you to take my husband as your doctor. Oh, do not
think it is from Paul I come! He does not know Rosemary's secret, or
that I make a price for this. If you do this-