Without another word Smith opened the door and sprang out. As Annesley
put her hand into his to descend she gave him the latchkey. It had been
inside the neck of her dress, and the metal was warm from the warmth of
her heart.

"Take this," she whispered. "If _they_ are watching, it will be best for
you to have the key."

Mr. Smith bestowed a generous tip on the driver, and was rewarded with a
loud, cheerful "Thank you, sir!" which must have reached the ears of a
chauffeur in the act of stopping before a house near by. Annesley,
glancing sidewise at the other taxi, thought that it drew up with
suspicious suddenness, as if it had awaited a "cue."

There was little doubt in her mind as to who the occupants were, and her
heart beat fast, though she controlled herself to walk with calmness
across the strip of pavement. On the doorstep she turned to wait for her
companion, and, without seeming to look past him, saw that no one got out
from the neighbouring taxi.

"They don't care whether we guess who they are or not," was her thought.
"They mean to find out whether we have a latchkey and can let ourselves
into a house in this square. When they see us go in, will they believe
the story and drive away, or--will they stay on?"

What would happen if the watchers persisted Annesley dared not think; but
she knew that she would sacrifice herself in any way rather than send the
man she loved (yes, she _did_ love him!) out to face peril.

Having paid the chauffeur, Mr. N. Smith joined the figure on the