Preston came to Jack and whispered: "The outcome is a great surprise to the other side. Young Clarke is a dead shot. An injured officer of the English army may cause unexpected embarrassment. But you have time enough and no haste. You can take the post chaise and reach the ship well ahead of her sailing." "I am of a mind not to go with you," Jack said to Solomon. "When I go, I shall take Margaret with me." So it happened that Jack returned to London while Solomon waited for the post chaise to Deal. CHAPTER X THE LADY OF THE HIDDEN FACE Next morning at ten, the door boy at his lodgings informed Jack that a lady was waiting to see him in the parlor. The lady was deeply veiled. She did not speak, but arose as he entered the room and handed him a note. She was tall and erect with a fine carriage. Her silence was impressive, her costume admirable. The note in a script unfamiliar to the young man was as follows: "You will find Margaret waiting in a coach at eleven to-day at the corner of Harley Street and Twickenham Road." The veiled lady walked to the door and turned and stood looking at him. Her attitude said clearly: "Well, what is your answer ?" "I will be there at eleven," said the young man. The veiled lady nodded, as if to indicate that her mission was ended, and withdrew. Jack was thrilled by the information but wondered why it was so wrapped in mystery. Not ten minutes had passed after the departure of the veiled lady when a messenger came with a note from Sir Benjamin Hare. In a cordial tone, it invited Jack to breakfast at the Almack Club at twelve-thirty. The young man returned his acceptance by the same messenger, and in his best morning suit went to meet Margaret. A cab conveyed him to the corner named. There was the coach with shades drawn low, waiting. A footman stood near it. The door was opened and he saw Margaret looking out at him and shaking her hand. "You see what a sly thing I am!" she said when, the greetings over, he sat by her side and the coach was moving. "A London girl knows how to get her way. She is terribly wise, Jack." "But, tell me, who was the veiled lady?" "A go-between. She makes her living that way. She is wise, discreet and reliable. There is employment for many such in this wicked city. I feel disgraced, Jack. I hope you will not think that I am accustomed to dark and secret ways. This has worried and distressed me, but I had to see you." "And I was longing for a look at you," he said. "I was sure you would not know how to pull these ropes of intrigue. I have heard all about them. I couldn't help that, you know, and be a young lady who is quite alive." "Our time is short and I have much to say," said Jack. "I am to breakfast with your father at the Almack Club at twelve-thirty." She clapped her hands and said, with a laughing face, "I knew he would ask you!"