"And adventurers, but the man who came here to-day was not an adventurer, poor fellow," she said. He looked at her quickly and she went on. "I was at the bottom of the garden, near that thick-set hedge, when I heard some one groan. It startled me; some tramp, I thought, and went to the gate. I saw a man sitting by the roadside. He looked up when he saw me, and I shall never forget the suffering in his face, the hunted look in it. I shivered, but I was quite sure he was harmless. I beckoned him; he came, turning his head from time to time in a frightened manner. He said he had tramped many miles, that he was hungry, footsore, weary to death. I took him to the back of the house, gave him something to eat, and offered him money. He refused the money at first, but I insisted and he took it. I gave him one of Dick's old top coats; when he put it on he seemed a different man. I hunted out a pair of old boots--he was very grateful for them. I am sure he was a gentleman; he spoke like one, he expressed himself as such when he left, there was a natural pride about him. He walked in the direction of Torquay; I wonder if you met him on the road." Picton Woodridge greatly astonished her by asking her the following questions: "Have you told your brother about this?" "No." "Did any one see him?" "I don't think so. I am almost sure they did not." "Will you do me a favor?" "Willingly." "Then do not mention this to a soul," said Picton earnestly. CHAPTER IV THE WOMAN AT THE TABLE She promised readily, not asking questions, for which he was grateful. She knew there was something she could not penetrate, some mystery; her curiosity was aroused but she restrained it. "Thank you," he said. "I have good reasons for asking you to remain silent; some day I will tell you them, whether my conjectures prove right or wrong." "I shall not ask your confidence," she said. "I will give it to you. I would give it to you now if I thought it would be of any use." "I am sure you would." "Rita----" "Hallo, where are you, Picton?" shouted Dick. "Here!" he called. "On the seat near the hedge." "Oh, down there. Is Rita with you?" "Yes." "Sorry I shouted; hope I didn't disturb you," sang out Dick. "Not in the least," said Picton; "we were just coming up." "I wonder what he was going to tell me when he said 'Rita,'" she thought as they walked up the hilly garden path. Picton said he would rather return to the yacht for the night; he loved being on the water, it always had a soothing effect and he was not a good sleeper. "I must be in tip-top condition for to-morrow--so much depends upon it," he said, smiling. Rita thought a good deal about her conversation with him when he left, tried to puzzle out the mystery, but failed. "I'll wait until he tells me," she said. "I wish Dick hadn't shouted when he said 'Rita'; it interrupted a pleasant sentence. I wonder how it would have finished?" and she smiled quietly to herself.