CHAPTER IV

THE COAT OF MAIL


She gave a great start at sight of him, then quickly drew herself
together.

"You have come to see if Rupert is all right for the night?" she said.
"Go in and have a look at him."

But Fletcher made no movement to enter. He faced her with a certain
rigidity. "No. I came to see you--alone."

She made a sharp movement that was almost a gesture of protest. Then she
turned and drew the door softly shut behind her. Robin came and pressed
close to her, as if he divined that she stood in need of some support.
With her back to the closed door and the moonlight in her eyes, she
stood before Fletcher Hill.

"What do you want to say to me?" she said.

He bent slightly towards her. "It is not a specially easy thing, Miss
Burton," he said, "when I am more than half convinced that it is
something you would rather not hear."