looking hungrily into those wonderful Eastern eyes.

"If I swear that I speak the truth, will you believe me?" she
whispered, and her fingers closed convulsively upon his shoulders.

He was shaken. Her near presence was intoxicating. "Perhaps," he said
unsteadily.

"Listen, then. _Now_ you are in danger, yes. Before, you were not, but
now you must be very careful. Oh! indeed, indeed, I tell you true! I
tell you for your own sake. Do with me what you please. I do not care.
It does not matter. You ask me why I come here. I tell you that also.
I come for what is in the long envelope--look, I cannot hide it. It
is on the fire!"

Stuart turned and glanced toward the grate. A faint wisp of brown
smoke was arising from a long white envelope which lay there. Had the
fire been actually burning, it must long ago have been destroyed.
More than ever mystified, for the significance of the envelope was
not evident to him, he ran to the grate and plucked the smouldering
paper from the embers.

As he did so, the girl, with one quick glance in his direction,
snatched her cloak, keys and bag and ran from the room. Stuart heard
the door close, and racing back to the table he placed the slightly
charred envelope there beside the fragment of gold and leapt to the
door.

"Damn!" he said.