"
"If you feel like that, then," she said a little defiantly, "tell
the truth. I knew the risk I was running. I am not afraid, even
now. You can give me back those papers, if you like. I can
assure you that the person on whom they are found will undoubtedly
be shot."
"Then I shall certainly retain possession of them," he decided.
"You are very chivalrous, sir," she ventured, smiling.
"I happen to be only selfish," Julian replied. "I even despise
myself for what I am doing. I am turning traitor myself, simply
because I could not bear the thought of what might happen to you
if you were discovered."
"You like me, then, a little, Mr. Orden?" she asked.
"Twenty-four hours ago," he sighed, "I had hoped to answer that
question before it was asked."
"This is very tantalising," she murmured. "You are going to save
my life, then, and afterwards treat me as though I were a leper?"
"I shall hope," he said, "that you may have explanations--that I
may find--"
She held out her hand and stopped him. Once more, for a moment,
her eyes were distended, her form was tense. She was listening
intently.
"There is some one coming," she whispered--"two or three men, I
think. What fools we have been! We ought to have decided--
about the car."
Her teeth came together for a moment. It was her supreme effort
at self-control. Then she laughed almost naturally, lit a
cigarette, and seated herself upon the arm of an easy-chair.
"You are interfering shockingly with my correspondence," she
declared, "and I am sure that they want you for bridge.
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