in a happy anticipation of more Cognac and many
easily earned francs. "Now, Madame Berthe, I think I have the key of
the enigma! I see a year's assured comfort before me, for I can play the
part of the Saxon troops at Leipzig," the schemer joyously ruminated.

His farewell to Miss Delande impressed that thrifty dame with the golden
fortunes which had descended upon her sister. "Should you return to
India, Major," she sibillated, "I will give you a confidential letter to
Justine, for I know there is no one more fitted to remain in charge of
sweet Nadine than my dear sister!" The Major blushingly accepted the
honor, and directed the letter to be sent at once to Morley's Hotel,
for, as he mysteriously whispered,

"The Foreign office may send me back to India--in fact, I may be
telegraphed for at any moment, and your sister will surely find a fast
friend in me."

"Easily gulled!" laughed Alan Hawke. "I will sweeten' upon Miss Justine;
those thin lips indicate the auri sacra fames. These miserly Swiss
sisters may aid me to approach the veiled Rose Bird." His delight at
fingering the crisp proceeds of Anstruther's check sent him to the Ouchy
steamer in the very happiest of moods, and, his cup was running over
when the birdlike Miss Genie Forbes descended upon him to announce a
meeting on the morrow at Montreux.

"We can do the castle, and essay the airy railroad at Territet Glion,
have a jolly dinner on the hill, and come home on the last boat! You be
sure to meet Phenie and me." The astounded Major murmured his delight
and surprise. "Oh! Popper will let us go up there. He likes you--he says
that you are a thoroughbred. So, we'll cut the other fellows and come
alone. Say, can't you scare up another fellow like yourself for Phenie?"
Whereat Alan Hawke laughed, and promised to secure an eligible "fellow"
among the migratory Englishmen hovering around Lausanne-Ouchy, and
he pledged a future friendship with the patient Phineas Forbes, who
lingered in the cafe, engulfing cocktails, while "Mother and Phenie were
out shopping." The vivacious Genie had confided to her callous swain
that she had watched him as he lingered on Rousseau's Island.

"I rather thought that you were sick and distressed, you looked so
peaked like, and I was mighty near speaking to you. I was just bound to
meet you." And upon this frank declaration, Alan Hawke kissed her firm
white hand, agreeing to her plans, and the glow of prosperity shone out
upon his