He was certain of one thing--Doctor Malsano was a blackguard, and he hated him. Again, his sense of reason--nay of duty--impelled him to give information to the police that would lead to the arrest and conviction of this arch-criminal--a criminal who used his uncanny powers to employ, as a dupe, a sweet, beautiful girl whom he called his niece. His influence appeared almost supernatural, and yet, his cowardice was evident in the fact that he adopted such foul methods. So, in spite of all this, when Gilda smiled, that baneful person, her uncle, was safe from arrest as far as Raife was concerned. There were many incongruities in this courtship. Their first meeting, and each subsequent meeting, had been quite unconventional--yet there was nought but pure thought as far as this couple were concerned when they met. The baleful influence of the doctor at other times alone made for trouble. In all these circumstances, then, it is not surprising that the quaint, old-world, white room of the "Blue Boar" at Tunbridge Wells should have become the rendezvous when it was the only opportunity that served. Raife Remington's sense of proportion had restrained him for a week or two, and he had not met Gilda. Doctor Malsano was not the type of man to allow his victim to elude his machinations for long. Gilda was, therefore, compelled to adopt the disguise of a hospital nurse, and, with full instructions from information obtained by the doctor, visited Tunbridge Wells. On the pretext of a patient who was expected from town, she obtained a room at the "Blue Boar." It was not hard to invent a ruse to ensure Raife's attendance at the "Blue Boar." When Gilda met him on the staircase, her old influence returned, and under the chaperonage of the landlord, Mr Twisegood, they started the interview. The astute, old Twisegood chuckled as he discreetly left the room, but, at the same time, he had no real knowledge of the state of affairs. Nor was Raife aware that this "accidental" meeting had been cunningly planned by Doctor Malsano. For long they talked. Gilda exercised her fascinating arts, and Raife succumbed more completely than ever. The conquest was complete, and Raife arranged to meet her in town, where they should run less risk of observation, and each should enjoy their own society unmolested by the inquisitive.