CHAPTER VI.
The three diners lingered for only a short time over their dessert.
Afterwards, they passed together into a very delightful library on the other side of the round, stone-paved hall.

Hilditch excused himself for a moment.
"I have some cigars which I keep in my dressing-room," he explained, "and which I am anxious for you to try.

There is an electric stove there and I can regulate the temperature." He departed, closing the door behind him.

Francis came a little further into the room.

His hostess, who had subsided into an easy-chair and was holding a screen between her face and the fire, motioned him to, seat himself opposite.