He hailed the consul-general cordially and offered him one of his really choice cigars, which was accepted. "I say, who was that young woman who just went out?" The consul-general laid down the cigar. The question itself was harmless enough; it was Mallow's way of clothing it he resented. "Why?" he asked. "She's a stunner. Just curious if you knew her, that's all. We came down on the same boat. Hanged if I shouldn't like to meet her." "You met her on board?" "I can't say that. Rather uppish on the steamer. But, do you know her?" eagerly. "I do. More than that, I have always known her. She is the daughter of the late General Chetwood, one of the greatest civil-engineers of our time. When he died he left her several millions. She is a remarkable young woman, a famous beauty, known favorably in European courts, and I can't begin to tell you how many other accomplishments she has." "Well, stump me!" returned Mallow. "Is that all straight?" "Every word of it," with a chilliness that did not escape a man even so impervious as Mallow. "Is she a free-thinker?" "What the devil is that? What do you mean?" "Only this, if she's all you say she is, why does she pick out an absconder for a friend, a chap who dare not show his fiz in the States? I heard the tale from a man once employed in his office back in New York. A beach-comber, a dock-walloper, if there ever was one." "Mallow, you'll have to explain that instantly." "Hold your horses, my friend. What I'm telling you is on the level. She's been hobnobbing with the fellow all the way down from the Irrawaddy, so I'm told. Never spoke to any one else. Made him sit at her side at table and jabbered Italian at him, as if she didn't want others to know what she was talking about. I know the man. Fired him from my plantation, when I found out what he was. Can't recall his name just now, but he is known out here as Warrington; Parrot & Co." The consul-general was genuinely shocked. "You can't blame me for thinking things," went on Mallow. "What man wouldn't? Ask her about Warrington. You'll find that I'm telling the truth, all right." "If you are, then she has made one of those mistakes women make when they travel alone. I shall see her at tea and talk to her. But I do not thank you, Mallow, for telling me this. A finer, loyaler-hearted girl doesn't live. She might have been kind out of sympathy." Mallow bit off the tip of his cigar. "He's a handsome beggar, if you want to know." "I resent that tone. Better drop the subject before I lose my temper. I'll have your papers ready for you in the morning." The consul-general caught up his pen savagely to indicate that the interview was at an end. "All right," said Mallow good-naturedly. "I meant no harm. Just naturally curious. Can't blame me." "I'm not blaming you. But it has disturbed me, and I wish to be alone to think it over."