THE GUNWALE Rudolph's mission began quietly, with a glimpse which he afterward recalled as incredibly peaceful.

Two of the women, at least, showed no fear.

In the living-room sat Mrs.Earle, her chin cramped on her high bosom, while she mournfully studied his colored picture-book of the Rhine.

Miss Drake, who leaned in one of the river windows, answered him, saying rather coldly that Chantel and Mrs.Forrester had gone down to the garden.
In the court, however, he ran across Ah Pat, loitering beside a lantern.
The compradore grinned, and in a tone of great unconcern called out that the pair were not in the garden.

"Walkee so." He pointed down the passage to the main gate, and hooked his thumb toward the right, to indicate their course.