"He's away. I don't know exactly where he is," Madame replied. "But what game are we going to play to-night?" "A very merry one. It may be amusing, it may be tragic," was the man's reply. "We're picking up May Cranston at Horsley Station presently." "May Cranston!" echoed Madame, astounded. "I thought she went to America after that affair in Dinard!" "So she did, but she's back again. May is a pretty shrewd girl, you know." "I'm well aware of that. But why are we meeting her?" "She'll probably tell you," was the fellow's reply, and, at his direction, I turned the car into a narrow side road which ran for miles through woods and coppices until at last, after passing through two small villages, we came to a wayside station dimly lit by oil lamps. There we waited for about a quarter of an hour, when the slow train from Waterloo ran in, and from a first-class carriage there stepped a tall, well-dressed girl wearing a rich fur coat and small hat. She was evidently expecting the car to meet her, for she walked straight up to it and entered, being greeted by Madame and Houston, who were inside. I followed the newcomer and got into the driver's seat, whereupon Madame introduced me. The moment she opened her lips I knew she was American, and also from her speech and expressions I knew that she was a crook who moved in good society. "We'll drive through Merrow and over to Hindhead," Houston said. "We'd better avoid the High Street of Guildford, for the police might possibly spot the car. So we'll go by the side roads. I was over there three days ago on a motor-bike, so I'll pilot you." And then he turned to gossip merrily with the good-looking American girl, who seemed most enthusiastic concerning our mysterious adventure. "To-night ought to bring us a clear twenty thousand pounds," he said. "More, my dear Teddy," the girl replied. "But since I saw you in Chicago four months ago I've had a very narrow squeak. I was nearly pinched by old Shenstone from New York. Dicky Diamond gave me the tip, and I cleared out from my hotel just in time. Had to leave all my trunks and eight thousand dollars' worth of jewelry behind me. And now I dare not claim them, for the police have seized them. Somebody gave me away, but I don't know who. Wouldn't I like to know--just! You bet I'd get even on them!" "A good job you were warned," said Madame. "Dicky was over here last June. I spent the evening with him at Prince's." "He's over here now. Waiting for me in Liverpool. I've got my passage booked back for to-morrow night, so if the hue and cry is raised I shall have left. I'm in the passengers' list as Mrs. George C. Meredith, wife of the well-known Chicago stock-broker. See my ring!" she laughed, holding up her hand in the semi-darkness. "Ain't it a real fine one? And you are my mother, Madame! See?" "But where are we going?" asked Duperre's wife. "Going to make an unexpected call upon old Bethmeyer," she replied.