"Our bright particular local star of Socialism," the other answered. "The very latest thing from Ruskin College. I thought he confined himself to the East-end, but I'm glad to find he gives you Old Towners a turn now and then, Miss Trupp. And I hope he won't forget you up at Meads, Colonel." "What's his name?" asked Bess, amused. "Burt," replied the other. "He comes from the North--and he's welcome to go back there to-morrow so far as I'm concerned." "You're from the North yourself, Mr. Bessemere," Mrs. Trupp reminded him. "I am," replied the young man, "and proud of it. But for political purposes, I prefer the South. That's why I'm a candidate for Beachbourne East." A few minutes later he took his departure. The Colonel watched him go with a sardonic grin. Philosopher though he might be, he was not above certain of the prejudices common to his profession, and possessed in an almost exaggerated degree the Army view of all politicians as the enemies of Man at large and of the Services in particular. Bess was still observing through her glasses the little group about the man on the bench. "There's Ruth!" she cried--"and Ernie!" "Listening to the orator?" asked the Colonel, joining her. "Not Ruth!" answered Bess with splendid scorn. "No orators for her, thank you!--She's listening to the baby. Ernie can listen to him." The Colonel took the glasses and saw Ruth and Ernie detach themselves from the knot of people and come slowly up the hill making for Borough Lane. "That really is a magnificent young woman of Caspar's," he said to his host. "She's one in a million," replied the old surgeon. "William's always been in love with her," said his wife. "All the men are," added Mrs. Lewknor, with a provocative little nod at her husband. "Where did he pick up his pearl?" asked the Colonel. "I love that droning accent of hers. It's like the music of a rookery." "She can ca-a-a away with the best of them when she likes," chuckled Bess. "You should hear her over the baby!" "An Aldwolston girl," said Mrs. Trupp. "She's Sussex to the core--with that Spanish strain so many of them have." She added with extreme deliberation,--"She was at the Hohenzollern for a bit one time o day, as we say in these parts." Mrs. Lewknor coloured faintly and looked at her feet. Next to her Jocko and his Jock the regiment was the most sacred object in her world. But the harm was done. The secret she had guarded so long even from her husband was out. The word Hohenzollern had, she saw, unlocked the door of the mystery for him. Instantly the Colonel recalled Captain Royal's stay at the hotel on the Crumbles a few years before ... Ernie Caspar's service there ... the clash of the two men on the steps of the house where he was now having tea ... Royal's sudden flight, and the rumours that had reached him of the reasons for it.