Five minutes passed, then ten. My passenger was still in the shop. I could not imagine what she was doing there. If it had been a shop of a different kind, and in view of Hephzy's recent statement concerning the buying of clothes, I might have been suspicious. But no clothes were on sale at that shop and, besides, it never occurred to me that she would buy anything of importance without mentioning her intention to me beforehand. I had taken it for granted that she would mention the subject and, when she did, I intended to be firm. But as the minutes went by my suspicions grew. She must be buying something--or contemplating buying, at least. But she had said nothing to me concerning money; HAD she money of her own after all? It might be possible that she had a very little, and was making some trifling purchase. She reappeared in the doorway of the shop, followed by a very polite young man with a blonde mustache. The young man was bowing and smiling. “Yes, miss,” he said, “I'll have them wrapped immediately. They shall be ready when you return, miss. Thank you, miss.” Frances nodded acknowledgment of the thanks. Then she favored me with another nod and a most bewitching smile. “That's over,” she announced, “and now I'm going to the draper's for a moment. It is near here, you say?” The young man bowed again. “Yes, miss, on the next corner, next the chemist's.” She turned to me. “You may wait here, Mr. Knowles,” she said. “I shall be back very soon.” She hurried away. I looked after her, and then, with all sorts of forebodings surging in my brain, strode into that “sporting-goods store.” The blond young man was at my elbow. “Yes, sir,” he said, ingratiatingly. “Did--did that young lady make some purchases here?” I asked. “Yes, sir. Here they are, sir.” There on the counter lay a tennis racket, a racket press and waterproof case, a pair of canvas tennis shoes and a jaunty white felt hat. I stared at the collection. The clerk took up the racket. “Not a Slazenger,” he observed, regretfully. “I did my best to persuade her to buy a Slazenger; that is the best racket we have. But she decided the Slazenger was a bit high in price, sir. However, sir, this one is not bad. A very fine racket for lady's use; very light and strong, sir, considering the cost--only sixteen and six, sir.” “Sixteen and six. Four dollars and--Did she pay for it?” “Oh no, sir. She said you would do that, sir. The total is two pound eight and thruppence, sir. Shall I give you a bill, sir? Thank you, sir.” His thanks were wasted. I pushed him to one side and walked out of that shop. I could not answer; if I answered as I felt I might be sorry later. After all, it wasn't his fault. My business was not with him, but with her.