erates Batley?"

"I don't." Bella looked up sharply. "What has that to do with it?"

Lisle thought it had a bearing on the matter, as the lad would have seen
less of Batley without Gladwyne's connivance.

"Well," he countered, "what would you like me to do?"

"It's difficult to answer. He's obstinate and resents advice. You might,
however, talk to him when you have a chance; he's beginning to have a
respect for your opinions."

"That's gratifying," Lisle commented dryly. "He was inclined to patronize
me at first."

She spread out her hands.

"You're too big to mind it! Tell him anything you can about disastrous
mining ventures; but don't begin as if you meant to warn him--lead up to
the subject casually."

"I'm afraid I'm not very tactful," Lisle confessed. "He'll see what I'm
after."

"It's not very likely. Talk as if you considered him a man of experience.
It's fortunate that you can be of help in this case, because I think some
Canadian mining shares are to be the latest deal. From what Jim said it
looks as if Batley was to give him some information about them on
Wednesday, when Gladwyne and he are expected at Marple's. Can't you come?
I understand you have been asked."

"Yes," promised Lisle. "If I have an opportunity, I'll see what can be
done."

Bella rose and smiled at him.

"We'll go back; I'm comforted already. You're not profuse, but one feels
that you will keep a promise."

They walked across the lawn, Bella now conversing in an animated strain
about unimportant matters, though it did not occur to Lisle that this was
for the benefit of the lookers-on. On approaching the tea-table, she
adroitly secured possession of a chair which another lady who stood
higher in her hostess's esteem was making for, and sitting down chatted
cheerfully with Mrs. Gladwyne. Lisle was conscious of some amusement as
he watched her. She was clever and her courage appealed to him; but
presently he saw Millicent and strolled toward where she was standing.
She spoke to him, but he thought she was not quite so gracious as she had
been before he went away.

CHAPTER XIV

LISLE COMES TO THE RESCUE

A few days after his interview with Bella, Lisle overtook Millicent as
she was walking up a wooded dale. She looked around with a smile when he
joined her and they fell into friendly talk. There were points on which
they differed, but a sense of mutual appreciation was steadily growing
stronger between them. Presentl