Maurice questioned eagerly, and his friend related briefly what had
happened.

"Why, Phil, you're a hero!" Wynne exclaimed. "You've quite taken the
wind out of my sails. I counted for something of an adventurer simply
by having been in a smash-up; but you rushed in and had a real
adventure. I never thought of you as a defender of dames."

The other turned toward him a face contracted with a look of pain.

"Don't, Maurice," he protested. "I can't joke about it. It was not
anything to be proud of; and nobody knows better than I how far I am
from being a hero."

"Oh, you're modest, of course. That's like you; but I call it stunning.
Mrs. Fenton must have admired you tremendously."

"Do you suppose she did?" Philip demanded impetuously. Then his voice
altered. "Oh, she knows me too well!" he added.

The intense bitterness of his tone gave Maurice a shock.

"Phil!" cried he.

His companion apparently understood the thought which lay behind the
exclamation. He dropped his head, and for a little distance they walked
in silence.

"I may as well tell you," Ashe said in a moment. "It is true, what you