“Thanks,” Preston said, concealing the annoyance the unlooked-for intrusion caused him. “Who told you we were engaged?” “Oh, one or two people. That last race was a fine finish--what?” “Very. Did you say there was something you wanted to ask me?” “One or two things. The first is a message from Jessica. She wants to know if you and Miss Hagerston will come to tea on her houseboat--it’s that big boat, _The Apex_, disguised to look like a warship, with guns and all complete. They’ve a jolly party aboard and Jessica says she would love to see you both. I was instructed not on any account to let you say ‘No,’” and he laughed. Preston did not answer for a moment. “What do you say, Yootha?” he said at last, with a significant look which she understood. “Shall we go, or shan’t we?” “I should like to go,” she replied, taking her cue from his expression. “Have you had lunch, Mr. La Planta?” “In point of fact I have not,” he said carelessly, and lit a cigarette. “Then you had better stay and lunch,” Preston put in. “Others may drop in presently.” “Awfully good of you,” La Planta said quietly. “The second thing I want to ask is whether you happen to have seen Madame Camille Lenoir of the Metropolitan Secret Agency anywhere about to-day. I know she is here, with friends, and I want particularly to catch her.” “I have not noticed her in any of the boats.” Archie La Planta made a little gesture of annoyance. “How tiresome,” he said. “Several people have caught sight of her to-day, but nobody can tell me where she is to be found. By the way, has the house with the bronze face found anything out as yet about the pearl necklace?” “Nothing as yet, but they seem hopeful. They think that in a week or so they may be able to tell me something.” “Good. Stothert is not an optimist, and would not have told you that unless he had good reason to.” He turned to Yootha. “By the way, I have not seen you since the ball,” he said. “And for that matter I didn’t see you at the ball, because I couldn’t identify you. That was a rotten experience you had--perfectly disgraceful to treat you as they did. I hear it made you quite ill, and I am not surprised. I hope that by now you have quite recovered?” “Thank you,” she answered, and in spite of her effort to speak naturally she could not prevent a certain coldness from betraying itself in her voice. “Yes, I have recovered--though I don’t think all my friends have!” “Indeed? I think I don’t follow you.” “Oh, it’s of no consequence,” she replied, flushing slightly; then she changed the subject. Jessica was surprisingly genial and friendly when she greeted Yootha and Captain Preston on her houseboat a couple of hours later. Preston had availed himself of her invitation for a reason which he had not yet confided to Yootha, though, had he known it, the same reason had prompted Yootha to ask La Planta if he had lunched.