With characteristic audacity, he actually assisted the frightened and eager woman to alight and run into the hotel.

But in this action her veil was accidentally lifted.

Mr.
Hamlin instantly recognized the pretty woman who had been pointed out to him in San Francisco as Mrs.Barker, the wife of one of the partners whose fortunes had interested him five years ago.

It struck him that this was an additional reason for his interference on Barker's account, although personally he could not conceive why a man should ever try to prevent a woman from running away from him.

But then Mr.Hamlin's personal experiences had been quite the other way.
It was enough, however, to cause him to lay his hand lightly on Van Loo's arm as the latter, leaping down, was about to follow Mrs.Barker into the hotel.