“He is a--criminal, you say?” she breathed eagerly, leaning forward, forgetful that she had not admitted any knowledge of Grantley at all. “You do not know what has happened to Doctor Grantley here in the last year?” “No,” was the reply. “I have never been in America before, and I have never even acted in England. I do not read the papers in English.” “You met Grantley abroad, then, some years ago, perhaps?” The actress realized that she had committed herself. She delayed for some time before she replied, and when she did, it was with a graceful gesture of surrender. “I will tell you all there is to tell, Mr. Carter,” she said, “if you will give me your word as a gentleman that the facts will not be communicated to the newspapers until I give you permission. Will you? I think I have guessed your profession, but I am sure I have correctly gauged your honor.” “I promise you that no word will find its way, prematurely, into print through me,” Nick declared readily. “I am a detective, as you seem to have surmised, Miss Lund. I called on you, primarily, to get a clew to the whereabouts of Doctor Grantley, but, as I told you, I am confident that it will have a beneficial effect on you to relieve your mind and to be assured, in return, that Grantley is a marked and hunted man, and that every effort will be made to prevent him from molesting you any further.” “Thank you, Mr. Carter,” the actress responded, throwing herself down on a couch and tucking her feet under her. The act suggested that her mental tension was already lessened to a considerable degree.