Bobbie had no especial interest in Diana’s soul; he thought she was a nice girl. “It must have come as a bit of a shock to you,” he said sardonically, and Gordon was hurt at the innuendo. “What does Aunt Lizzie say about it?” This was a subject on which he could not speak with normal politeness. “Does it matter what she says? Bobbie, do you know what Diana tried to do? And this reveals an undreamt-of indelicacy of mind. She tried to give us the same room! A wretched little servants’ room at the top of the house. She says that Heloise is my accomplice.... It’s no laughing matter!” Bobbie was rolling helplessly in his chair. “Diana is treating me like a dog.” Bobbie surveyed his relative critically. “And you look a bit of a dog too in those clothes,” he said. “Where did you dig up that suit? Gordon, I’ve seen a judge send down a man for five years for wearing a suit like that. He said it revealed his criminal psychology.” “Now, Bobbie, you’ve got to help me.” Gordon was not amused. “I’m going to get away. Once I can get to the hotel to my bag, or even if I could get to Scotland--which wouldn’t be a bad move--I’m safe. But I haven’t a penny! She made me turn out my pockets at the point of a pistol. She is the most thorough woman I have ever met. Swore that I had been trying to get at the safe and searched me for skeleton keys!” Bobbie felt in his pockets. The trip to Ostend had exhausted most of the spare cash--and it was Sunday. “I’m afraid I’ve no money with me,” he said. “I can get a cheque cashed at the club for a tenner----” “That doesn’t matter,” interrupted Gordon. “I’ll tell you what I want you to do--a very simple service that you can render and will save all bother. When Diana comes----” Here, Bobbie thought the solution was a very simple one. “When she comes I’ll just tell her that you’re really Gordon Selsbury,” he said, and Gordon leapt up from the chair where he had been sitting. “Do you want to ruin me?” he hissed. “Tell her I’m Gordon Selsbury? I’ve told her, haven’t I? But I gave up telling her when I remembered Heloise. How am I going to explain her?” The crux of the problem was now displayed. Bobbie had no cut and dried solution. Such as presented were so nobbly and damp that he rejected them without examination. “I’d forgotten about Aunt Lizzie,” he said thoughtfully. Gordon’s triumph brought little happiness to him. “Don’t you see it’s impossible? Now, I’ve been thinking the matter over and I’ve worked out a much better plan than yours. I can get away when this dithering old ass isn’t looking--which is pretty often. Diana has to go out early to-morrow to her bankers. That will be my chance, but I must have some money. I want it before the banks open, so you cannot possibly help me there. What you can do is this: persuade Diana to let you have the key of the safe. She’s put the lock on as well as the combination. I’ve tried to open it, so I know. Get the key and pass it to me at the first opportunity.”