need this."

"One moment, Mr. Stirling," said the lady, still sitting. "Can you spare
the time to lunch with me? We will sit down at once, and you shall be
free to go whenever you wish."

Peter hesitated. He knew that he had the time, and it did not seem easy
to refuse without giving an excise, which he did not have. Yet he did
not feel that he had the right to accept an invitation which he had
perhaps necessitated by his long call.

"Thank you," said his hostess, before he had been able to frame an
answer. "May I trouble you to pull that bell?"

Peter pulled the bell, and coming back, tendered the check rather
awkwardly to Miss De Voe. She, however, was looking towards a doorway,
which the next moment was darkened by the butler.

"Morden," she said, "you may serve luncheon at once."

"Luncheon is served, madam," said Morden.

Miss De Voe rose. "Mr. Stirling, I do not think your explanation has
really affected the circumstances which led me to send that check. You
acknowledge yourself that you are the poorer for that prosecution, and
received no fees for trying it. As I wrote you, I merely was giving a
retaining fee in that case, and as none other has been given, I still
wish to do it. I cannot do such things myself, but I am weal--I--I can
well afford to aid others to do them, and I hope you will let me have
the happiness of feeling that I have done my little in this matter."