The Lighted Match

He attempted to speak, but she tightened her hold on his hands and her

hurried utterance checked his words.

"No!" she said. "Listen! This time I decide forever. I must decide

alone. You must not only be out of my sight, but beyond recall. Three

months from to-day I shall write to you, but until then I must not know

your address. Three months from to-day you may be at 'Idle Times,' where

I first told you I loved you ... where we told each other ... if you

still wish to be. Then, if I decide that I am free, you will find my

letter there. If I'm not free, I had better not even write. I couldn't

write without calling you back. If I have to decide that way--" She

broke off with a shudder. "Oh, you must go--Dear!--you must go

quickly--! It is the only way you can help me."

A half-hour later, Benton turned to the approaching Von Ritz.

"Colonel," he said steadily, "I sail for San Francisco by way of Suez

from the first port we reach. You will favor me by accepting the Isis

as long as Her Majesty can use it."

Von Ritz met his eyes in silence and held out his hand.