report to the Master of the marble house, forthwith.

Her bosom heaved with a vague alarm as she timidly descended
the grand stair, and was conducted to the private snuggery of the
Commissioner adjoining his own apartments. "Does he know aught of
the meeting?" she questioned herself, in the throes of a sudden
fright. She was somewhat reassured as she observed the carriage
drawn up in the compound and, by hazard, caught a glance of Alan
Hawke's graceful martial figure, as he stood regarding her intently
from the safe shelter of the darkened reception-room. Her heart
bounded with delight as her Prince Charming smilingly placed his
finger on his lip.

A sense of manly protection, never felt before, gave her the strength
of ten as she then glided along boldly to face her gray-headed
master. For now she knew that she had a champion at her side, a
man professionally brave, both resolute and charming. Her promise
to meet Alan Hawke again at the jeweler's now took on a roseate
hue.

"I must surely keep my plighted word at all risks," she murmured
to herself. For the sage reflection that she owed a sacred duty
to her sister's friend, now came to comfort her, in her heart of
hearts. It was almost a pious duty which lay before her now. And
so she became brave in the knowledge of the innocent secret shared
between herself and the handsome official visitor.

To her delight and relief she found it an easy task to face Hugh
Johnstone, after that one reassuring glance. Her stern employer
failed to pierce the muslin fortifications of her guilty bosom and