George opened the letter with trembling and reverent fingers.

　　"DEAR MR. BEVAN,"Thank you ever so much for your note, which Albert gaveto me. How very, very kind. . .""Hey, mister!"George looked up testily. The boy Albert had reappeared.

　　"What's the matter? Can't you find the cake?""I've found the kike," rejoined Albert, adducing proof of thestatement in the shape of a massive slice, from which he took asubstantial bite to assist thought. "But I can't find the gingerile."George waved him away. This interruption at such a moment wasannoying.

　　"Look for it, child, look for it! Sniff after it! Bay on its trail!

　　It's somewhere about.""Wri'!" mumbled Albert through the cake. He flicked a crumb off hischeek with a tongue which would have excited the friendly interestof an ant-eater. "I like ginger-ile.""Well, go and bathe in it.""Wri'!"George returned to his letter.

　　"DEAR MR. BEVAN,"Thank you ever so much for your note, which Albert gaveto me. How very, very kind of you to come here like this andto say . . .

　　"Hey, mister!""Good Heavens!" George glared. "What's the matter now? Haven't youfound that ginger-ale yet?""I've found the ginger-ile right enough, but I can't find thething.""The thing? What thing?""The thing. The thing wot you open ginger-ile with.""Oh, you mean the thing? It's in the middle drawer of the dresser.

　　Use your eyes, my boy!""Wri'".

　　George gave an overwrought sigh and began the letter again.

　　"DEAR MR. BEVAN,"Thank you ever so much for your note which Albert gaveto me. How very, very kind of you to come here like this andto say that you would help me. And how clever of you tofind me after I was so secretive that day in the cab! Youreally can help me, if you are willing. It's too long toexplain in a note, but I am in great trouble, and there isnobody except you to help me. I will explain everythingwhen I see you. The difficulty will be to slip away fromhome. They are watching me every moment, I'm afraid. But Iwill try my hardest to see you very soon.

　　Yours sincerely,"MAUD MARSH."Just for a moment it must be confessed, the tone of the letterdamped George. He could not have said just what he had expected,but certainly Reggie's revelations had prepared him for somethingrather warmer, something more in the style in which a girl wouldwrite to the man she loved. The next moment, however, he saw howfoolish any such expectation had been. How on earth could anyreasonable man expect a girl to let herself go at this stage of theproceedings? It was for him to make the first move. Naturally shewasn't going to reveal her feelings until he had revealed his.

　　George raised the letter to his lips and kissed it vigorously.