Miss Macroy looked after the retreating figure of the girl with an expression which was not friendly. Mr. Brabazon was sitting at his desk when the girl came in, and handed her a sealed envelope. “Send this by hand,” he said. Thalia looked at the address and nodded, and then looked at Mr. Brabazon with a new interest. Truly the Crimson Circle was recruited from many and various classes. Chapter XV. Thalia Joins the Gang Thalia Drummond was almost the last of the staff to leave the bank that night, and she stood on the steps looking idly from left to right as she pulled on her gloves. If she saw the man who was watching her from the opposite side of the road she did not reveal the fact by so much as a glance. Presently her eyes lighted upon Milly waiting a few yards up the street, and she walked toward her. “You’ve been a long time, Drummond,” grumbled Miss Macroy. “You mustn’t keep my friend waiting, you know. He doesn’t like it.” “He’ll get over that,” said Thalia. “I do not run to time-table where men are concerned.” She fell in by Milly’s side and they walked a hundred yards along the busy thoroughfare before they turned into Reeder Street. The restaurants in Reeder Street have taken to themselves names which are designed to suggest the gaiety and epicurean wonders of Paris. The “Moulin Gris” was a small, deep shop which, with the aid of numerous mirrors and the application of gold leaf, had managed to create an atmosphere of cramped splendour. The tables were set for dinner and empty, for it was two hours before the meal, and to the proprietors of the “Moulin Gris” such a function as afternoon tea was unknown. They went up a narrow stairway to another dining-room on the first floor, and a man who was seated at one of the tables rose briskly to meet them. He was a sleek, dark, young man, his beautifully brilliantined hair was brushed back from his forehead, and he was dressed, if not in the height of fashion, at least in the height of the fashion which he favoured. A faint odour of _l’origan_, a soft large hand, a pair of bright unwinking eyes, were the first impressions which Thalia received. “Sit down, sit down, Miss Drummond,” he said brightly. “Waiter, bring that tea.” “This is Thalia Drummond,” said Miss Macroy, unnecessarily it seemed. “We needn’t be introduced,” laughed the young man. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Drummond. My name’s Barnet.” “‘Flush’ Barnet,” said Thalia, and he seemed surprised and not ill-pleased. “You’ve heard of me, have you?” “She’s heard of everything,” said Miss Macroy in resignation, “and what’s more,” she added significantly, “she knows Marl, and is dining with him to-night.” Barnet looked sharply from one to the other, then back again at Milly Macroy. “Have you told her anything?” he asked. There was a note of menace in his voice. “You don’t have to tell her anything,” said Miss Macroy recklessly. “She knows it all!” “Did you tell her?” he repeated.