'0h, you think that you're bound to point that out, do you,--thennow your bounden duty's done. As for there being any revolvers inthe home, papa has a perfect arsenal,--would you like to takethem all?'

'Thanks, but I daresay I shall be able to manage with one,--unlessyou would like one too. You may find yourself in need of it.'

'I am obliged to you, but, on this occasion, I don't think I'lltrouble. I'll run the risk.--0h, Sydney, what a hypocrite youare!'

'It's for your sake, if I seem to be. I tell you most seriously,that I earnestly advise you to allow Mr Holt and I to manage thisaffair alone. I don't mind going so far as to say that this is amatter with which, in days to come, you will wish that you had notallowed yourself to be associated.'

'What do you mean by that? Do you dare to insinuate anythingagainst--Paul?'

'I insinuate nothing. What I mean, I say right out; and, my dearMarjorie, what I actually do mean is this,--that if, in spite ofmy urgent solicitations, you will persist in accompanying us, theexpedition, so far as I am concerned, will be postponed.'

'That it what you do mean, is it? Then that's settled.' I rang thebell. The servant came. '0rder a four-wheeled cab at once. And letme know the moment Mr Holt is ready.' The servant went. I turnedto Sydney. 'If you will excuse me, I will go and put my hat on.You are, of course, at liberty to please yourself as to whetheryou will or will not go, but, if you don't, then I shall go withMr Holt alone.'

I moved to the door. He stopped me.

'My dear Marjorie, why will you persist in treating me with suchinjustice? Believe me, you have no idea what sort of adventurethis is which you are setting out upon,--or you would hear reason.I assure you that you are gratuitously proposing to thrustyourself into imminent peril.'

'What sort of peril? Why do you beat about the bush,--why don'tyou speak right out?'

'I can't speak right out, there are circumstances which render itpractically impossible--and that's the plain truth,--but thedanger is none the less real on that account. I am not jesting,--Iam in earnest; won't you take my word for it?'

'It is not a question of taking your word only,--it is a questionof something else beside. I have not forgotten my adventures oflast evening,--and Mr Holt's tale is mysterious enough in itself;but there is something more mysterious still at the back of it,--something which you appear to suggest points unpleasantly at Paul.My duty is clear, and nothing you can say will turn me from it.Paul, as you are very well aware, is already over-weighted withaffairs of state, beautiful nearly borne down by them,--or I wouldtake the tale to him, and he would talk to you after a fashion ofhis own. Things being as they are, I propose to show you that,although I am not yet Paul's wife, I can make his interests my ownas completely as though I were. I can, therefore, only repeat thatit is for you to decide what you intend to do; but, if you preferto stay, I shall go with Mr Holt,--alone.'

'Understand that, when the time for regret comes--as it willcome!--you are not to blame me for having done what I advised younot to do.'

'My dear Mr Atherton, I will undertake to do my utmost to guardyour spotless reputation; I should be sorry that anyone shouldhold you responsible for anything I either exclaimed or did.'

'Very well!--Your blood be on your own head!'

'My blood?'