to win--though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
punctually."

She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.





CHAPTER V

THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'


"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.

"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
consumer."

I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.

"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I