"You two need no introduction, of course," the Baroness remarked. "I am not going to tell you where I found Mr. Barnes. I do not expect to be very much longer in England, so perhaps I am not so careful as I ought to be. Louise, if she knew, would be shocked. Now, Mr. Wrayson, do not hurry away. You will take some whisky and soda? I am afraid that my young friend has not been very hospitable." "You are very kind," Wrayson said. "To tell you the truth, I was rather hoping to see Miss Fitzmaurice again. She disappeared rather abruptly." The Baroness shook her finger at him in mock reproach. "You have been misbehaving," she declared. "Never mind. I will go and see what I can do for you." She stood for a moment before a looking-glass arranging her hair, and then left the room humming a light tune. Sydney Barnes, with his hands in his pockets, flung himself into an easy-chair. "I say," he began, "I don't quite see what you're doing here." Wrayson looked at him for a moment in supercilious surprise. "I scarcely see," he answered, "how my movements concern you." Mr. Barnes was unabashed. "Oh! chuck it," he declared. "You know very well what I'm thinking of. To tell you the truth, I've come to the conclusion that there's some connection between this household and my brothers affairs. That's why I'm palling on to the Baroness. She's a fine woman--class, you know, and all that sort of thing, but what I want is the shino! You tumble?" Wrayson shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I wish you every success," he said. "Personally, I think that you are wasting your time here." "Perhaps so," Barnes answered. "I'm taking my own risks." Wrayson turned away, and at that moment the Baroness re-entered the room. "My friend," she said, addressing Wrayson, "I can do nothing for you. Whether you have offended Louise or made her too happy, I cannot say. But she will not come down. You will not see her again to-night." "I am sorry," Wrayson answered. "She is going away to-morrow, I understand?" The Baroness sighed. "Alas!" she declared, "I must not answer any questions. Louise has forbidden it." Wrayson took up his hat. "In that case," he remarked, "there remains nothing for me but to wish you good night!" There was a cab on the rank opposite, and Wrayson, after a moment's hesitation, entered it and was driven to the club. He scarcely expected to find any one there, but he was in no mood for sleep, and the thought of his own empty rooms chilled him. Somewhat to his surprise, however, he found the smoking-room full. The central figure of the most important group was the Colonel, his face beaming with good-nature, and his cheeks just a little flushed. He welcomed Wrayson almost boisterously. "Come along, Herbert," he cried. "Plenty of room. What'll you have to drink, and have you heard the news?" "Whisky and soda," Wrayson answered, sinking into an easy-chair, "and I haven't heard any news."