"So it is. But if you wish to live in peace, you must submit." "Peace at that price I have no wish for. This man Mallow lives within the pale of law; the other man is outside of it. Yet, of the two, which would you be quickest to trust?" The consul-general laughed. "Now you are appealing not to my knowledge of the world but to my instinct." "Thanks." "Is there any reason why you should defend Mr. Warrington, as he calls himself?" The consul-general's wife desperately tried to catch her husband's eye. But either he did not see the glance or he purposely ignored it. "In defending Mr. Warrington I am defending myself." "A good point." "My dear friend," Elsa went on, letting warmth come into her voice once more, "my sympathy went out to that man. He looked so lonely. Did you notice his eyes? Can a man look at you the way he does and be bad?" "I have seen Mallow dozens of times. I know him to be a scoundrel of sorts; but I doubt if bald sunlight could make him blink. Liars have first to overcome the flickering and wavering of the eyes." "He said that." "Who, Warrington?" puzzled. "He said almost the same thing. Would he say that if he were a liar?" "I haven't accused him of being that. Indeed, he struck me as a truthful young man. But he confessed to me that ten years ago he robbed his employer of eight thousand dollars. By the way, what is the name of the firm your father founded?" "The Andes Construction Company. Do you think we could find him something to do there?" eagerly. "He builds bridges." "I shouldn't advise that. But we have gone astray. You ought not to see him again." "I have made up my mind not to." "Then pardon me for all this pother. I know what is in your heart, Elsa. You want to help the poor devil back to what he was; but he'll have to do that by himself." "It is a hateful world!" Elsa appealed to the wife. "It is, Elsa, dear. But James is right." "You'll get your balance," said the guardian, "when you reach home. When's the wedding?" "I'm not sure that I'm going to be married." Elsa twirled the sunshade again. "I really wish I had stayed at home. I seem all topsy-turvy. I could have screamed when I saw the man standing on the ledge above the boat that night. No; I do not believe I shall marry. Fancy marrying a man and knowing that his ghost was at the same time wandering about the earth!" She rose and the sunshade described a half-circle as she spoke. "Oh, bother with it all! Dinner at eight, in the big dining-room." "Yes. But the introductions will be made on the cafe-veranda. These people out here have gone mad over cock-tails. And look your best, Elsa. I want them to see a real American girl to-night. I'll have some roses sent up to you."