"The coast," as the colonel had said, was indeed "clear." Mrs.Tretherick paused at the gate.

The colonel would have entered with her, but was stopped by a gesture.

"Come for me in a couple of hours, and I shall have everything packed," she said, as she smiled, and extended her hand.

The colonel seized and pressed it with great fervor.

Perhaps the pressure was slightly returned; for the gallant colonel was impelled to inflate his chest, and trip away as smartly as his stubby-toed, high-heeled boots would permit.