"Not definitely," he replied. "So far as I could make out from what the sergeant said, it was keeping bad company as much as anything." "The police are in the rooms now?" she asked. "Three more of them," he assented. "I don't know what they want but evidently you'll have to stay here. Now I'm going to light this spirit-lamp and make some coffee." He moved cheerfully about the room, and she watched him all the time with almost pathetic earnestness. Presently he brought the breakfast things over to her side and sat at the foot of her couch while the water boiled. He took her hand and held it caressingly. "I shouldn't worry about Isaac," he said. "I don't suppose he is really very much mixed up with these fellows. He'll have to keep out of the way for a time, that's all." "There were the pistols," she faltered, doubtfully. "I expect they saddled him with them because he was the least likely to be suspected," Arnold suggested. "There's the water boiling already. Now for it." He cut some bread and butter and made the coffee. They ate and drank almost in silence. Through the open window now the roar of traffic was growing every minute in volume. Across the bridge the daily stream of men and vehicles had commenced to flow. Presently he glanced at the clock and, putting down his coffee cup, rose to his feet. "In a few minutes, dear, I must be off," he announced. "You won't mind being left, will you?" Her lips trembled. "Why should I?" she murmured. "Of course you must go to work." He went behind his little screen, where he plunged his head into a basin of cold water. When he reappeared, a few minutes later, he was ready to start. "I expect those fellows will have cleared out from your rooms by now," he said, throwing open the door. "Hullo, what's this?" A trunk and hatbox had been dragged out onto the landing. A policeman was sitting on a chair in front of the closed door, reading a newspaper. "We have collected the young lady's belongings, so far as possible, sir," he remarked. "If there is anything else belonging to her, she may be able to get it later on." "Do you mean to say that she can't go back to her own rooms?" Arnold demanded. "I am sorry, sir," the man replied, "but I am here to see that no one enters them under any pretext." Arnold looked at him blankly. "But what is the young lady to do?" he protested. "She has no other home." The policeman remained unmoved. "Sorry, sir," he said, "but her friends will have to find her one for the time being. She certainly can't come in here." Arnold felt a sudden weight upon his arm. Ruth had been standing by his side and had heard everything. He led her gently back. She was trembling violently. "Don't worry about me, Arnold," she begged. "You go away. By the time you come back, I--I shall have found a home somewhere." He passed his arm around her. A wild flash in her eyes had suddenly revealed her thought.