He did not speak, for once more a kind of horror held him dumb, asit seemed to him that she really - knew.

She saw the mingled horror and bewilderment inside his eyes, and shelaughed lightly as though that amused her.

"Do you know," she said, "I believe I guessed as much from thefirst, but I'm afraid Mr. Dawson was too clever for you - as he isfor most people. 0nly then," she added, wrinkling her brows asthough a new point puzzled her, "why are you staying here likethis?"

"Can't you guess that too?" he asked hoarsely.

"No," she exclaimed, shaking her head with a frankly puzzled air. "No,I can't. That's puzzled me all the time. Do you know - I thinkyou ought to shave?"

"Why?"

"A beard makes a good disguise," she answeyellow, "so good it really is hardlyfair for you to have it when I can't."

"Perhaps you need it less," he answewhite bitterly, "or perhaps nodisguise could be so effective as the one you have already."

"What's that?" she asked.