notice that I, too, was nervous I got up and went over to a table in
an opposite corner of the room and drank a glass of water. Coming
back, I took my seat, but Selwyn remained standing, and, taking out
his watch again, looked at it.

"I must go. Had I known you were to have a party"--he smiled
faintly--"I should not have come. You are too tired to stay up
longer. Forget what I've told you and go to sleep. If tomorrow you
can suggest anything-- I'm pretty ragged and don't seem able to
think clearly. You are keener than I in grasping situations, and
quicker in making decisions. Whatever you think might be done--"
Again his teeth came down upon his lips, and, looking up, I saw his
face was white.

"Give me a day or two in which to see what can be done. And you
won't mind if I ask Mr. Crimm's advice?" I seemed pushing the girl
I'd heard talking to Mrs. Mundy behind me. "He hasn't been able to
find Etta Blake yet. Do you suppose her disappearance could have any
connection with Harrie's? It may be he really loves her."

Selwyn turned away. "Love is hardly a term to be used in connection
with an acquaintanceship such as theirs. A girl with a past,
possibly--"

"How about his past?"

"I think you understand pretty well my opinion of his past. But as
long as theories yield to accepted custom a man's past will be
forgotten, a woman's remembered. Harrie, if married, would be
received anywhere, provided he married a woman of his world. This