Ruby longed to tell Rupert what had taken place between them a few moments ago. But fear of the man she loved and wanted sealed her lips. She knew that the two men were friends. She knew that Despard had it in his power to injure her. He had some influence with the manager of the Ingenue Theatre, and there were other reasons. So she said nothing. Despard rejoined them and they all went out together. "We’ll drive you home first," Rupert said to Ruby. "I would rather you dropped me at the Tube," she replied. "I have nearly two hours before I need go to the theatre. I’m not on until the second act." Despard pretended to be bitterly disappointed that Miss Strode was deserting them. Ruby surreptitiously handed Rupert the money she had in her purse and whispered to him that she would get their winnings in the morning and bring them round to his rooms. She had no reason for secrecy, and so he asked her to give him the ticket she had received from the bookmaker when she had backed Ambuscade. "I don’t like the idea of your going round to the bookmaker’s offices. It’s possible they’ll dispute it, or make a fuss," he said. Despard agreed and suggested that they should meet at ten o’clock in the morning and all go round in a body. But Ruby was obstinate and refused to give up the ticket. "I backed the horse myself. I am going to get the money and bring it round to Rupert!" She got quickly out of the cab as it stopped at the Piccadilly Tube Station and, blowing a kiss to Rupert, she disappeared in the crowd. The two men drove to the grillroom of the Savoy. "You are a lucky devil," Despard said, "if there’s no mistake, and Miss Strode really backed Ambuscade." "Why should there be a mistake?" Rupert asked curtly. "Oh, I don’t know!"—Despard shrugged his shoulders—"but she seemed rather mysterious about it. Perhaps that’s a woman’s way. They are queer cattle." "Ruby is one in a thousand," Rupert said quietly. "Look here, I’m off to Devonshire to-morrow evening. I don’t want the old man to hear I’ve been plucked. I must tell him myself. I shall have to find some reason, too, for my sudden wealth." "One of the old-fashioned sort, eh?—don’t approve of betting or pretty girls. Will you keep Miss Strode dark, too?" Rupert frowned. He did not reply at once. "I thought you knew we were engaged to be married," he said at last. "I shan’t tell the guv’nor until I’ve passed my final, so if you come down you needn’t mention her." Rupert suddenly found himself regretting the invitation he had given to Despard some time ago to spend his holidays at Blackthorn Farm. Too late, instinct warned him that he was not quite the sort of man he would like to introduce to his sister. "So you’re really coming?" he said. "Rather! I want to throw a fly for those trout you’ve spoken about, and pot the rabbits. I’m a bit fed-up with town. If it’s quite convenient I’ll meet you at Paddington Station to-morrow afternoon."