the table so that it covered the gold trinket completely.

"Gentlemen," he said, "if we are going to show ourselves at the
Darlington ball we'll have to run along."

Below, in the coat room, Claiborne was fastening the frogs of his
military overcoat when Armitage, who had waited for the opportunity,
spoke to him.

"That story is a lie, Claiborne. That man never saw me or my cigarette
case in Berlin; and moreover, I was never at Bar Harbor in my life. I
gave you some account of myself on the _King Edward_--every word of it
is true."

"You should face him--you must have it out with him!" exclaimed
Claiborne, and Armitage saw the conflict and uncertainty in the officer's
eyes.

"But the time hasn't come for that--"

"Then if there is something between you,"--began Claiborne, the doubt now
clearly dominant.

"There is undoubtedly a great deal between us, and there will be more
before we reach the end."

Dick Claiborne was a perfectly frank, outspoken fellow, and this hint of
mystery by a man whose character had just been boldly assailed angered
him.