Could I do less than make a compact that it should be so? If I admit there was no sign of a coming change in the weather it must not be supposed that I am trying to make out that her beauty and personality did not affect me. They did. "I could almost pray for bad weather just to see that you are a man of your word," she laughed. "Is it a promise?" "It is." She went in to dress, and I smoked a cigarette before doing likewise. As I entered my room and closed the door, a man stepped from behind the wardrobe. It was the man who had been interested in Mrs. Selborne on the lawn. "Pardon. I wished to speak to you alone, and this seemed the only method." "I'll hear what you have to say before I hand you over to the management," I answered. "It is a delicate matter," he returned, with a simper, which made me desire to kick him. "It concerns a lady. You are Mr. James Murray; at least, that is the name you entered in the hotel books." "It is my name," I answered. "Part of it, I think, part of it. You are usually called Murray Wigan, I believe, and you are engaged to Miss Quarles--Miss Zena Quarles, the granddaughter of a rather stupid professor." "What has this to do with you?" "I said it was a delicate matter," he went on. "My client has reason to believe that you are--shall I say enamored of a lady staying in this hotel? You may have noticed me on the lawn just now when you were talking to the lady--I judge it was the lady. Your taste, sir, appeals to me, but I am bound to say--" "Are you a private detective?" "Just an inquiry agent; helpful in saving people trouble sometimes." "Do you mean to tell me that Miss Quarles--" "No, not exactly, but, my dear Wigan--" It was Quarles. He changed his voice, seemed to alter his figure, but of course the make-up remained. He was a perfect genius in altering his appearance. "Was that the lady?" he asked. "Zena mentioned you were yachting with a Mrs. Selborne down here. I don't think she quite liked it. She was woman enough to read between the lines of your letter." "Oh, nonsense!" I exclaimed. "Quite so; still the lady is decidedly attractive, and Murray Wigan is a man. The man who holds himself barred from admiring one woman just because he happens to be engaged to another is not a very conspicuous biped. I am not reproaching you, I should probably do the same myself, but Zena will take you to task no doubt, and you will explain and promise not to do it any more, and--" "I haven't done anything which requires explanation," I said irritably. "Of course not, but that may not be Zena's view, and I daresay Mrs. Selborne believes you are more than half in love with her. I happened to overhear part of your conversation. She was putting your admiration to the test, rather a severe test, by the way, since you are an invalid. Probably she is smiling to herself in the glass as she dresses for dinner, which reminds me you have none too much time to dress, and you must not be late to-night."