woman who had been the harbinger of Professor Deeping's death. In
three strides I was beside her again. Curious glances were set
upon me, and I saw a servant evidently contemplating approach; but
I ignored all save my own fixed purpose.

"You must listen to what I have to say!" I whispered. "If you
decline, I shall have no alternative but to call in the detective
who holds a warrant for your arrest!"

She stood quite still, watching me coolly. "I suppose you would
wish to avoid a scene?" I added.

"You have already made me the object of much undesirable attention,"
she replied scornfully. "I do not need your assurance that you
would disgrace me utterly! You are talking nonsense, as you must
be aware--unless you are insane. But if your object be to force
your acquaintance upon me, your methods are novel, and, under the
circumstances, effective. Come, sir, you may talk to me--for
three minutes!"

The musical voice had lost nothing of its imperiousness, but for
one instant the lips parted, affording a fleeting glimpse of pearl
beyond the coral.

Her sudden change of front was bewildering. Now, she entered the
lift and I followed her. As we ascended side by side I found it
impossible to believe that this dainty white figure was that of an
associate of the Hashishin, that of a creature of the terrible
Hassan of Aleppo. Yet that she was the same girl who, a few days
after my return from the East, had shown herself conversant with