"What an unromantic way to put it! Really, this chance meeting--it was a chance meeting, I suppose?--" "A lucky chance," he agreed. She pouted. "Then you did not follow? Unromantic to the last! But as I was saying, this chance meeting is splendid. My train goes in an hour--and I wanted so very much to see you--once again." "You flatter me." "Ah--you don't understand." She dropped into a chair. "I wanted to see you--to put your conscience at rest. You were so sorry when you had to be--cruel--to me to-day. You will be so glad to know that it has all turned out happily, after all." "What do you mean?" asked Minot, new apprehensions rising in his mind. "Alas, if I could only tell you." She was laughing at him now--an experience he did not relish. "But--my lips are sealed, as we say on the stage. I can only give you the hint. You thought you left me a broken vanquished woman. How the thought did pain you! Well, your victory was not absolute. Let that thought console you." "You are too kind," Minot answered. "And--you are glad I am not leaving San Marco quite beaten?" "Oh, yes--I'm wild with pleasure." "Really--that is sweet of you. I am so sorry we must part. The moonlight, the palms, the distant music--all so romantic. But--we shall meet again?" "I don't know." "Don't know? How unkind--when it all depends on you. You will look me up in New York, won't you? New York is not so romantic--but I shall try to make it up to you. I shall sing for you. _Just a Little_." She stood up, and held out a slim white hand. "Good-by, Mr. Minot." Still she laughed. "It has been so good to know you." "Er--good-by," said Minot. He took the hand. He heard her humming beneath her breath--humming _Just a Little_. "I've enjoyed your singing immensely." She laughed outright now--a silvery joyous laugh. And, refusing the baffled Minot's offer to take her back to the hotel, she fled away from him down the dark path. He fell back into his chair, and lighted another cigar. Exit the Gaiety lady, laughing merrily. What was the meaning of that? What new complication must he meet and solve? For his answer, he had only to return to the hotel. On the steps he was met by Lord Harrowby's man, agitated, puffing. "Been looking all about for you, sir," he announced. "'Is lordship wishes to see you at once--most h'important." "More trouble, Minot," was Lord Harrowby's gloomy greeting. "Sit down, old chap. Just had a very nasty visitor." "Sorry to hear it." "Little brown monkey of a man--Manuel Gonzale, proprietor of the _San Marco Mail_. I say, old boy, there's a syllable missing in the name of that paper. Do you get me?" "You mean it should be the _San Marco Blackmail_? Pretty good, Harrowby, pretty good." And Minot added to himself "for you."