that is how you managed to escape?"

He shook his head but his amiability seemed to have wholly returned.
His eyes twinkled as he looked at her.

"There we're up against a solid wall of impossibility," he replied.
"You see, some of our other chaps may try the dodge. I gave them the
tip and I don't want to spoil their chances. By-the-bye, do you know
the man two places down on your left?" he added dropping his voice a
little. "Looks almost like a waxwork figure, doesn't he?"

"You mean Major Thomson? Yes, I know him," she assented, after a
moment's hesitation. "He is very quiet to-day, but he is really most
interesting."

Their hostess rose and beamed on them all from her end of the table.

"We have decided," she announced, "to take our coffee out in the
lounge."



CHAPTER II

The little party trooped out of the restaurant and made their way to
a corner of the lounge, where tables had already been prepared with
coffee and liqueurs. Geraldine Conyers and Captain Granet, who had
lingered behind, found a table to themselves. Lady Anselman laid her
fingers upon Major Thomson's arm.