The bell rang, she pushed the button and presently he was at the door saying he was passing and thought he’d drop in for a minute. He was a big thick-set man with a quiet reposeful quality unshaken even by the heat. It was difficult to think of Bassett shaken by any exterior accident of life, so suggestive was his whole make-up of a sustained equilibrium, a balanced adjustment of mental and physical forces. He had dropped in a great deal this summer and as the droppings-in became more frequent Anne’s outside engagements became less. They always simulated a mutual surprise, giving them time to get over that somewhat breathless moment of meeting. They achieved it rather better than usual to-night for their minds were full of the same subject. Bassett had come to impart the good news about Sybil, and Anne had seen her and heard all about it. There was a great deal of talking to be done that was impersonal and during which one forgot to be self-conscious. Finally when they had threshed out all the matters of first importance Bassett said: “Did you tell her that Walberg wanted Aleck Stokes for the Duke?” “No, I didn’t say a word about it. What was the use? It would only have upset her and you’d put a stop to it.” “You can always be relied on, Anne, to do the tactful thing. Walberg was set on it. Stokes can’t be beaten in that part and he’s at liberty. But I wasn’t going to take any chances of her refusing, and if Stokes was in the company I was afraid she might.” “I don’t know whether she’d have gone that far, but it would have spoiled everything for her and for the rest of us too. It’s all plain sailing now except for one thing”--she stopped and then in answer to his questioning look--“about the police. If they have her under surveillance, as people say, what’ll they do about it up there?” The big man shrugged: “Camp in the village on the mainland--they certainly can’t come on the island. We’ve special instructions about it--no one but the company to be allowed there till the performance. Did she speak to you about that?” “No, she hardly ever alludes to the subject. But they _would_ keep a watch on her, wouldn’t they?” He nodded, frowning a little at a complication new in his experience: “I should think so--a woman in her position. Men under sentence of death have been unable to keep away from the girl they were in love with. And then she may know where he is, be in communication with him.” “Oh, I don’t think that,” Anne breathed in alarm. “She’d never take such a risk.” “Well, we’re her friends and we’re as much in the dark as anybody. I only know one thing--if they try to hound her down on that island--the first chance she’s had to recuperate and rest--I’ll--” A slight grating noise came from the hall. Anne held up a quick cautioning hand. “Take care,” she murmured. “Here’s Joe.”