“Were you not with them at supper at the Casino last night?” he inquired. “I am sure I saw you there.” “Quite likely. I was with them.” “Yes, they are probably on their way back by now. They were waiting, when I saw them last, for additional police escort,” and he laughed. “You ought to have been with them to-night, sir,” he added. “You have missed the opportunity of a lifetime, because they all back the same numbers, so that you would probably have done the same.” He had hardly stopped speaking when a car drew up at the hotel entrance, and Jessica and her party alighted, accompanied by two police officials. Preston saw at once that Yootha was almost hysterical. She kept laughing at nothing, and talking at a great pace the greatest nonsense. In addition to her bulging bag, she had slung on her arm a common sack tied at the top with string. Directly she saw her lover she rushed up to him, flung her arms about his neck, and kissed him passionately in front of everybody. “Allow me to congratulate you, ladies and gentlemen,” Michaud said with a profound bow. “I have been watching your play all the evening, and your luck is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen. I expect the Casino will be glad to see the last of you,” and he laughed, “but only the Casino,” and he ogled Yootha. “Good night, ladies and gentlemen.” He turned to Preston, “Good night to you, sir,” and with his three companions, who had been standing by looking rather sour, he passed through the vestibule and disappeared. For a quarter of an hour the party, which now included Preston and Major Guysburg, remained in the vestibule talking over the exciting evening. Now and again guests returning from the Casino would come up, apologize for speaking, and then offer their congratulations. The only two who remained calm, and apparently unaffected by what had happened, were Preston and the major. When Preston kissed Yootha good night in the corridor before they parted for the night, he looked down at her sadly. “My darling,” he said, “have you forgotten what happened that night at Henley? The day is approaching when it will be necessary for us to do one thing or the other regarding Cora, and of course there is only one thing we can do.” “How do you mean--‘only one thing’?” Preston gazed at her, speechless. “Jessica,” Yootha went on, “was talking to me about Cora this evening, and hinted to me things about her which, if they are true, would tempt me never to speak to her again. I am inclined to think we have overrated Cora, and that her alleged friendship is not wholly disinterested.” CHAPTER XXIII. A FRIEND INDEED!