As she descended, she saw in the lower hall the stenographer, Miss Davis, sitting waiting. There was no adequate reason for the girl's being there at that hour; she had come--she said, as she rose to greet Harriet--to learn whether she would be wanted the next day; she had already seen Mr. Avery, and he would not want her. Harriet, telling her she would not need her, offered to send a servant home with her, as the roads were dark. Miss Davis refused this and went out at once. Harriet, as the door was closed behind the girl, looked hurriedly about for Avery. She did not find him, nor at first did she find Eaton either. She discovered him presently in the music-room with Blatchford. Blatchford at once excused himself, tired evidently of his task of watching over Eaton. Harriet caught herself together and controlled herself to her usual manner. "What shall it be this evening, Mr. Eaton?" she asked. "Music? Billiards?" "Billiards, if you like," he responded. They went up to the billiard room, and for an hour played steadily; but her mind was not upon the game--nor, she saw, was his. Several times he looked at his watch; he seemed to her to be waiting. Finally, as they ended a game, he put his cue back in the rack and faced her. "Miss Santoine," he said, "I want to ask a favor." "What is it?" "I want to go out--unaccompanied." "Why?" "I wish to speak to a friend who will be waiting for me." "How do you know?" "He got word to me at the country club to-day. Excuse me--I did not mean to inform on Mr. Avery; he was really most vigilant. I believe he only made one slip." "He was not the only one observing you." "I suppose not. In fact, I was certain of it. However, I received a message which was undoubtedly authentic and had not been overseen." "But you were not able to make reply." "I was not able to receive all that was necessary." She considered for a moment. "What do you want me to do?" "Either because of my presence or because of what has happened--or perhaps normally--you have at least four men about the grounds, two of whom seem to be constantly on duty to observe any one who may approach." "Or try to leave." "Precisely." "There are more than two." "I was stating the minimum." "Well?" "I wish you to order them to let me pass and go to a place perhaps ten minutes' walk from here. If you do so, I will return at the latest within half an hour" (he glanced at his watch) "--to be definite, before a quarter of eleven." "Why should I do this?" He came close to her and faced her. "What do you think of me now, Miss Santoine?" "Why--"