And the shooting had produced one most desirable result--Dempsi had been completely subdued ever since. Not once had he described her as his angel or his serene vision. He who had searched the heavens and starry spaces thereof for illustrations of her beauty, her charm and her numerous attractions, was satisfied with the most commonplace terminology. “The fact is,” said Bobbie, “the poor Wop has never used an automatic before, and the darn thing went off before he realised he had touched the trigger.” “Poor Wop!” Diana’s nose went up. “Poor Mr. Superbus rather!” This was so long after breakfast that Bobbie had had time to make a call at Diana’s bank, and Mr. Dempsi was a notable absentee. “How did you sleep?” he asked sympathetically. “Terribly! Bobbie, did you get the money?” “Yes, by great good luck your credits came through on Saturday. I have the money. The manager was full of apologies on behalf of self and bank. Here it is.” He produced from his hip pocket a thick wad of bills. “In American money. By some strange accident it is clean.” She was thoughtful, biting her lip. “I had a wire from Gordon. He has reached Inverness,” she mentioned. “I’m sure he has,” said Bobbie drily. “And how is the old K Bus?” “Poor old fellow!” she laughed quietly. “I think he’s almost reconciled to his very great loss. I shouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t develop into a war-hero, but for the moment he’s worrying what his good lady will say about the lost toe. From what he says I gather that she counts them every night.” Bobbie grinned at the fire. There seemed something inexpressibly comic about a man losing a toe. “Nothing has been heard of Double Dan?” he asked, and she shook her head. “No, he seems to have disappeared. We know by the marks on the brickwork that he climbed the wall, and according to Mr. Superbus, he had a companion. In one way I’m glad he’s gone.” Bobbie looked at the girl in astonishment. “Glad?” he said. “Good lord, why?” “For the poor girl’s sake.” Diana’s face was saddened. “You don’t know what she’s suffered at his hands, Bobbie. There’s a whole lot of good in Heloise. Of course she feels his going. That’s the curse of it--a woman never loses hope.” “He must have got away pretty quickly,” said Bobbie. “I was down immediately after Dempsi, and though I searched the house and the courtyard at once, there was no sign of the devil.” She made a little gesture of distaste. “Don’t let us talk about him,” she said briefly and went on to talk of Dempsi. “He has been simply splendid. Really I have had a pleasant shock: the only one of that variety he has ever given me. I shouldn’t have thought that a man of his excitable temperament could have taken the matter so calmly. But he is subdued. A little nervous, I think, about the shooting. He was very anxious to know if I had informed the police, but of course I hadn’t--so far as Mr. Superbus’ toe was concerned. He’s going to-day.” “Not Dempsi?” She nodded.