At any minute--certainly within an hour--I shall have news which may be affected most markedly by some chance hint supplied by you.

I want you to understand, Lady Hermione, that Mr.Curtis's share in the queer tangle of the past few hours is not so simple or unimportant as you seem to imagine.

I believe he has been actuated by the best of motives----" "Oh, yes, I am sure of it," she broke in eagerly.

"If I am fated never to see him again after to-night I shall always remember him as a true friend and gallant gentleman." Steingall bit back the words which rose unbidden to his lips.

He had certainly been wallowing in romance since the telephone called him to the Central Hotel, but even in the pages of fiction he had never found a more wildly improbable theory than the likelihood of John Delancy Curtis allowing any consideration short of death to separate him from such a bride as Lady Hermione within the short space of time she apparently regarded as the possible span of her married life.
"Ah," he murmured, "if he is wise he will call you to give evidence in his behalf.