"Lord bless you, boy, I don't know anything about Armitage!" spluttered
Singleton, with the emphasis so thrown as to imply that of course in any
other branch of human knowledge he would be found abundantly qualified to
answer questions.

"But you introduced us to him--my sister and me. I assumed--"

"My dear Claiborne, I'm always introducing people! It's my business to
introduce people. Armitage is all right. He's always around everywhere.
I've dined with him in Paris, and I've rarely seen a man order a better
dinner."




CHAPTER III

DARK TIDINGS

The news I bring is heavy in my tongue.--Shakespeare.


The second day thereafter Shirley Claiborne went into a jeweler's on the
Grand Quai to purchase a trinket that had caught her eye, while she
waited for Dick, who had gone off in their carriage to the post-office to
send some telegrams. It was a small shop, and the time early afternoon,
when few people were about. A man who had preceded her was looking at
watches, and seemed deeply absorbed in this occupation. She heard his
inquiries as to quality and price, and knew that it was Armitage's voice
before she recognized his tall figure. She made her purchase quickly, and