Anna the Adventuress

"I said some afternoon," she remarked, throwing open her warm coat,

and taking off her gloves, "but I certainly did not mean to-day."

"I met you accidentally," he reminded her. "Our ways happened to lie

together."

"And our destinations also, it seems," she added, smiling.

"You asked me in to tea," he protested.

"In self-defence I had to," she answered. "It is a delightful day for

walking, but a great deal too cold to be standing on the pavement."

"Of course," he said, reaching out his hand tentatively for his hat,

"I could go away even now. Your reputation for hospitality would

remain under a cloud though, for tea was distinctly mentioned."

"Then you had better ring the bell," she declared, laughing. "The walk

has given me an appetite, and I do not feel like waiting till five

o'clock. I wonder why on earth the curtains are drawn. It is quite

light yet, and I want to have one more look at that angry red sun.

Would you mind drawing them back?"

Ennison sprang up, but he never reached the curtains. They were

suddenly thrown aside, and a man stepped out from his hiding-place. A

little exclamation of surprise escaped Ennison. Anna sprang to her

feet with a startled cry.

"You!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? How dare you come to

my rooms!"

The man stepped into the middle of the room. The last few months had

not dealt kindly with Mr. Montague Hill. He was still flashily

dressed, with much obvious jewellery and the shiniest of patent boots,

but his general bearing and appearance had altered for the worse. His

cheeks were puffy, and his eyes blood-shot. He had the appearance of a

man who has known no rest for many nights. His voice when he spoke was

almost fiercely assertive, but there was an undernote of nervousness.

"Why not?" he exclaimed. "I have the right to be here. I hid because

there was no other way of seeing you. I did not reckon upon--him."

He pointed to Ennison, who in his turn looked across at Anna.

"You wish me to stay?" he asked, in a low tone.

"I would not have you go for anything," she answered.

"Nevertheless," Hill said doggedly, "I am here to speak to you alone."

"If you do not leave the room at once," Anna answered calmly, "I shall

ring the bell for a policeman."

He raised his hand, and they saw that he was holding a small revolver.

"You need not be alarmed," he said. "I do not wish to use this. I came

here peaceably, and I only ask for a few words with you. But I mean to

have them. No, you don't!"

Ennison had moved stealthily a little nearer to him, and looked

suddenly into the dark muzzle of the revolver.