red Hawke.

"Just a few stolen glimpses," hastily replied Anstruther, politely
rising and bowing as the fair unknown suddenly left her seat, in evident
confusion.

The two men strolled out of the salle & manger together, Major Alan
Hawke critically observing the heightened color and evident elan of his
aristocratic friend.

"Oh! I say, Hawke," cried Anstruther, "they'll show you up to my rooms
in a few moments. I'll go and see the maitre d'hotel here! The service
is beastly--beastly!" and the youth fled quickly away.

Major Alan Hawke nodded affably, and slowly mounted the staircase to his
room, wondering if the aid-de-camp was destined by the gods to furnish
forth his purse for the return to India. "He's pretty well set up now,
and he evidently has his eye upon this brown-eyed nixie. Dare I rush my
luck? The boy's a bit stupid at cards." With downcast eyes the anxious
adventurer wandered along the corridor in the dimly-lighted second
story. It was the turning point of his career.

There was the rapid rustle of silk, the patter of gliding feet, a warm,
trembling hand seized his own, and in the darkness of a window recess he
was aware that he was suddenly made the prize of the fair corsair ci
la Houbigant. "Quick, quick, tell me! Do you go with him?" the strange
enchantress said, in excited tones, using the English tongue as if to
the manner born.

"Madame! I hardly understand," cautiously said the astounded Major.

"I want you to help me! You must help me! I must see him! I must
find out all." The sound of a servant's steps arrested her incoherent
remarks. "Wait here!" the excited woman whispered, as she walked back
down the hall. There was a whispered colloquy, and Alan Hawke caught the
gleam of the silver neck chain of the maitre d'hotel. The sound of
an opening door was heard, and, in a few moments the flying Camilla
returned to her hidden prey.

"Tell me truly," she panted, "what will you do with him? He wishes me to
ride with him; my answer depends on you. You are in trouble; I can see
it in your haggard eyes. Help me now, and--and I will help you!" And
then Alan Hawke spoke truly to the waif of Destiny, whom chance had
thrown in his way.

"I only wish to play with him for a couple of hours; if luck turns my
way, that will be time enough!"

"Ah! you would have money! Let him go away in peace! Help me to-morrow,
here, and I will give you money!"

"What is your own scheme?" the doubting vaurien demanded