the mighty city in the valley below.

Lewis was brought to himself with a start. Somebody behind him cried
out, "O-la!" He turned to find two impatient horses almost on top of
him. A footman was springing from his place beside the coachman to open
the gate.

Lewis stepped aside. In the smart victoria sat a lady alone. She was
dressed in white, and wore a great, black picture-hat. Lewis glanced at
her face. He recognized the Anglo-Saxon pallor. Out of the dead-white
shone two dark eyes, unnaturally bright. He raised his hat.

"I beg your pardon," he began in English.

The gate had swung open. The horses were plunging on the taut reins. The
lady drew her skirts in at her side and nodded. Lewis stepped into the
carriage. The horses shot forward and up the drive.




CHAPTER XXXI


"It was the only way," said the lady as Lewis handed her out of the
carriage. "The horses wouldn't wait, once the gates were open. What did
you wish to say?"

"I--I wanted to ask you about the Leightons," stammered Lewis. "They
used to live here. That is--"