May I remind you that I was compelled to ensure the safety of these few minutes' conversation with you, by locking that door.

Are you likely to be disturbed ?" "No, no! No chance at all," Philippa assured him.
"If we are, we'll explain," Helen promised.
"In that case," the intruder begged, "perhaps you will excuse me." He moved towards the door and softly turned the key, then he drew the curtains carefully across the French windows.

Afterwards he made his way towards the tea-table.

A little throbbing cry had broken from Helen's lips.
"Philippa," she exclaimed, "it's from Dick! It's Dick's handwriting!" Philippa's reply was incoherent.

She was tearing open her own envelope.
With a well-satisfied smile, the bearer of these communications seized a sandwich in one hand and poured himself out some tea with the other.