"But it will have to be decided in a hurry," said Anna firmly. "What is to happen if to-morrow Mrs. Otway comes and tells me that I am to go away to London, to Louisa? English people are very funny, as you know well, Herr Hegner!" In her excitement she forgot his new name, and he winced a little when he heard the old appellation, but he did not rebuke her, and she went on: "Willi told me, and so did the gentleman, that on _no_ account must I move that which was confided to me." "Attend to me, Frau Bauer!" he said imperiously. "This matter is perhaps more important than even you know, especially at such a time as this." "Ach, yes!" she said. "I have often said that to myself. Willi's friend may be interned by now in one of those horrible camps--it is indeed a difficult question!" "I do not say I shall be able to do it, but I will make a big effort to have the whole business settled for you to-morrow morning. What do you say to that?" "Splendid!" she exclaimed. "You are in truth a good friend to poor old Anna Bauer!" "I wish to be," he said. "And you understand, do you not, Frau Bauer, that under no conceivable circumstances are you to bring me into the affair? Have I your word--your oath--on that?" "Certainly," she said soberly. "You have my word, my oath, on it." "You see it does not do for me to be mixed up with any Germans," he went on quickly. "I am an Englishman now--as this gratifying Address truly says----" he waited a moment. "What would be the best time for the person who will come to call?" Anna hesitated. "I don't know," she said helplessly. "The marriage is to be at twelve, and before then there will be a great deal of coming and going at the Trellis House." "Is it necessary for you to attend the bridal?" he asked. Anna shook her head. "No," she said, "I do not think so; I shall not be missed." There was a tone of bitterness in her voice. "Then the best thing will be for your visitor to come during the marriage ceremony. That marriage will draw away all the busybodies. And it is not as if your visitor need stay long----" "Not more than a very few minutes," she said eagerly, and then, "Will it be the same gentleman who came three years ago?" "Oh, no; it will be someone quite different. He will come in a motor, and I expect a Boy Scout will be with him." A gleam of light shot across Anna's mind. But she made no remark, and her host went on: "You realise that great care must be taken of those things. In fact, you had better leave it all to him." "Oh, yes," she nodded understandingly. "I know they are fragile. I was told so." It was extraordinary the relief she felt--more than relief, positive joy.