"Her ladyship is very kind," said Falconer. His eyes, unnaturally

bright, were fixed on Drake's face, his voice was low but steady. "I am

glad I was of some little use in saving them. The man has been committed

for trial, I hear?"

Drake nodded indifferently.

"Yes," he said. "I wish he had dropped the jewel cases and got off. It

would have saved a lot of bother. But don't be afraid that you will be

wanted as a witness," he added quickly. "I and one or two of the men who

were present when he was captured will be sufficient. There will be no

need to worry you--or Miss Lorton."

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Falconer nodded.

"I hope you will be able to get out soon," said Drake. "I told Miss

Lorton that I would send a carriage for you--something bulky and

comfortable. Perhaps you'll let me drive you?"

Falconer nodded again, and Drake began to feel vaguely uncomfortable

under his fixed gaze and taciturnity; and being uncomfortable, he

blundered on to the subject that tortured him.

"But Miss Lorton can drive you well enough; she is a perfect whip.

And--and now I am mentioning her, I will take the opportunity of

congratulating you upon your engagement, Falconer."

Falconer's lips twitched, but his eyes did not leave Drake's face, which

had suddenly become stern and grim.

"You knew Miss Lorton before she came here, Lord Angleford?" said

Falconer.

Drake colored, and set his lips tightly.

"Yes," he said, trying to speak casually. "We met----"

He stopped, overwhelmed by a thousand memories. His eyes fell, but

Falconer's did not waver.

"Then it is as an old friend of hers that you congratulate me, Lord

Angleford?" he said.

"Yes, an old friend," said Drake, his throat dry and hot. "I wish you

every happiness, my dear fellow; and I think you----"

Falconer raised himself on his elbow.

"You are laboring under a mistake, Lord Angleford," he said, very

quietly. "You think that Miss Lorton--is betrothed to me?"

Drake nodded. His face had grown pale; there was an eager light in his

eyes. Falconer dropped back with a sigh.

"You are wrong," he said. "Who told you?"

Drake was silent a moment. The blood was rushing through his veins.

"Who told me? I heard--everybody said----"

He dropped into the chair and leaned forward, his face stern and set.

Falconer smiled as grimly as Drake could have done.




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