s?" and she made a little gesture of disdain. She felt so much
stronger now that the suspense was over--now that the message was
really here. "Risks are fashionable just now, Monsieur, and I always
follow the fashions."

He shook his head hopelessly; words were of no use. He turned away,
and remembering that he still held the slip with her account on, he
halted and handed it to the stranger, who was nearest him.

"I presume these figures were meant for the master of your yacht," he
remarked, without looking at her, and passed out on the veranda, where
he halted at sight of Masterson running up the steps, and the dusty
rider close behind.

Judithe had seated herself at the desk and picked up the pen. But as
Monroe stepped out on the veranda she turned impatiently:

"The despatch?" and she held out her hand.

"I was followed--I read and destroyed it."

"Its contents?"

"Too late, Madame," he remarked, in a less confidential tone, as he
laid the slip Monroe had given him on the desk. He had seen Masterson
at the door and with him the other rider!

Judithe did not raise her head. She was apparently absorbed in her
task of addressing an envelope.

"I will speak with you directly," she said, carelessly sealing the
letter. He bowed and stood waiting, respectfully. Glancing up, she saw
Captain Masterson, who had entered from the veranda, and bestowed on
him a careless, yet gracious smile. Pluto brought the mail bag in from
the hall, and she dropped the letter in, also a couple of papers she
took from the top of the desk.

"There, that is all. Make haste, please, Pluto," and she glanced at
the clock. "I should not like that letter to miss the mail; it is
important."

"Yes'm, I gwine right away now," and he turned to the door, when
Masterson stepped before him, and to his astonishment, took the bag
from his hand.

"You can't take this with you," he said, in a tone of authority. "Go
tell Colonel McVeigh he is needed here on business most important."

Pluto stared at him in stupid wonder, and Judithe arose from her
chair.

"Go, by all means, Pluto," she said, quietly, "Captain Masterson's
errand is, no doubt, more important than a lady's could be," and she
moved towards the door.

"I apologize, Madame Caron, for countermanding your orders," said
Masterson, quickly, "but circumstances make it necessary that no
person and no paper leave this room until this man's identity is
determined," and he pointed to the mes