Anna the Adventuress

"Can you spare me a moment?" he asked. "I have a message from your

sister."

"Are you in a hurry," she asked carelessly. "A lot of these people

will be going presently."

"My message is urgent," he said firmly. "If you cannot listen to me

now it must remain undelivered."

She shrugged her shoulders and led him towards a small recess. "So you

come from Anna, do you?" she remarked. "Well, what is it?"

"Montague Hill is recovering consciousness," he said. "He will

probably make a statement to-night."

"That sounds very interesting," she answered coolly. "Perhaps I should

better be able to understand its significance if you would explain to

me who Mr. Montague Hill is."

"Your husband," he answered bluntly.

She did not wince. She laughed a little contemptuously.

"You and Anna," she said, "seem to have stumbled upon a mare's nest.

If that is my sister's message, pray return to her and say that the

doings and sayings of Mr. Montague Hill do not interest me in the

least."

"Don't be foolish," he said sharply. "You were seen to leave the flat,

and your handkerchief was found there. Very likely by this time the

whole truth is known."

She smiled at him, an understanding smile, but her words defied him.

"What a beautiful mare's nest!" she exclaimed. "I can see you and Anna

groaning and nodding your grave heads together. Bah! She does not know

me very well, and you--not at all. Do have some tea, won't you? If

you must, go then."

Courtlaw was dismissed. As he passed out he saw in the hall a quietly

dressed man with keen grey eyes, talking to one of the footmen. He

shivered and looked behind as he stepped into his hansom. Had it come

already?