end upon his errand, until he disappeared over the edge
of the illumination of the vestibule. She waited, dimly aware of voices
going on beyond the curtains of the drawing-room, but all her listening
power was concentrated on the silence without--a silence that remained
unbroken, and out of which Shima returned with the same imperturable
countenance.

"He wants ten dollars."

"Oh, yes, give him anything," Flora gasped. If that was all the Chinaman
had followed her for! But her relief was momentary, for instantly Shima
was back again.

"I gave him ten dollars, the cabman."

Now she gasped indeed. "Oh, the cabman! But the other one!" For an
instant Shima seemed to hesitate; glancing past her shoulder as if there
was something that he doubted behind her. Then as she still hung on his
answer he brought it out in a lowered voice.

"Madam, there was no one else there."

XIX

THE FACE IN THE GARDEN

With her hand at her distressed forehead she turned, and saw, between
the curtains of the drawing-room, Harry, and behind him Clara, looking
out at her with faces of amazement, and she fancied, horror. Harry came
straight for her.

"Why, you poor child, what's happened to you?"

She gave him a look. She couldn't forget their scene in the red room,
but the mixture of apprehension and real concern in his face went far
toward melting her. She might even have told him something, at least a
part of the truth, but for that other standing watching her from the
drawing-room door. With Clara, there was nothing for it but to ignore
her disordered hair, her hat in her hand, her ruffle torn and trailing
on the floor.

She put on a splendid nonchalance, as if it were none of their business.
"Oh, I am sorry if I kept you waiting."

It was Clara who spoke to her, past Harry's blank astonishment. "Why, we
don't mind waiting a few moments more while you dress."

"I shan't have to dress." Such a statement Flora felt must amaze even
Shima, waiting like an image on the threshold of the dining-room. But if
these people were waiting to be amazed she felt herself equal to amazing
them to the top of their expectations.

"Oh, but at least go up and let Marrika give you some pins," Clara
protested, hurrying forward as if fairly to drive her.

"Thank you, no, this will do," Flora said. On one point she was quite
clear. She wasn't going to leave those two together for a moment to
discuss her plight; not till she could first get at