Instantly he was out of sight behind the brown velvet hangings of a recessed French window.
Miss Gardner entered, saw upon the embarrassed edges of none of the shrouded chairs a plump and short-breathed Susan.

Surprised, she was turning to leave when a cautious but clear whisper floated across the room.
"Clara!" She whirled about.

At sight of the young gentleman, who had stepped forth, she went pale, then red, then pale again.
"Eliot--Mr.Bradford!" she exclaimed.

Then in a husky frightened whisper: "How did you get in here ?" He sought to take one of her hands, but she put both behind her back.
At this repulse the young gentleman winced, then smiled gravely, then pleasantly,--and then with a whimsical upward twist to his wide mouth.
"Via the cook," he answered, and told her the rest.
"Did any one else belonging to the house see you ?" "Besides you and my excellent old friend, the cook, no one." "But don't you realize that this house is one of the most dangerous places in the world for you ?" she cried in a low voice.

"Why, Judge Harvey himself is expected here any minute!" "Judge Harvey!" The equable young man gave a start.