ey were her
_favourites_."

"I'm not afraid," said Every.

"Of course you aren't. If you were, you'd be safe. If Samson had
feared Delilah, he wouldn't have lost his eyes." She broke off and
shrugged her shoulders. Then--"And now, if you're satisfied with my
authority to question you, what's yours for dismissing these men?"

"I have none," said Every. "But the chap who was here--Lyveden----"

"Yes?" breathed Andre.

"Well, he's too ill to----"

With a moan, the girl dropped the reins, flung back her head, and
clapped her hands to her temples.

"I knew it," she wailed, "I knew it! First Richard Winchester, and
then Anthony ... my darling ... Anthony Lyveden ..."

Every stood spellbound. The tragedy had taken a new--a frightful turn.
Valerie--trustful, unsuspecting Valerie--was hideously involved. He
wondered if Lyveden delirious would babble of this strange girl. If he
did.... And when he recovered--what then?

Hurriedly he reviewed the position.

Under Dr. Heron's direction, Lyveden had been drugged here, at
Gramarye, and brought to Bell Hammer. The whole object of his removal
was to smash his infatuation for Gramarye, so that he might feel free
to worship Valerie. On their joint love the whole thing was founded.
Everything had been arranged on that basis. And now ... if Lyveden had
been consulted, perhaps he would not have come--not because of
Gramarye, but because of a girl--a girl with auburn hair....

"Where is he?"

The words cut his reflections with a clean slash.

"Who?"

Andre Strongi'th'arm's eyes narrowed.

"The high priest," she said.

"D'you mean Major Lyveden?"

"I do."

Every paled. Whatever might be the other's standing, with him Valerie
came first. It might be rough on the girl, but that could not be
helped, and would eventually, he supposed, be mended. One thing was
plain. Not at any price must she go to Bell Hammer.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you."

"Why?"

"If you're thinking of visiting him, I assure you----"

"I wish to know where Major Lyveden is."

Every drew himself up.

"I'm very sorry," he said, "but until I've seen those in charge of him,
and have their permission to tell you----"

"I have a right to know."

Every winced. Then he looked up boldly.

"As Colonel Winchester's _fiancee_?" he said.

Andre caught her breath. Then she bowed her head.

"As a most miserable woman," she said brokenly. "Somewhere it says,
'From him