Helen Peyton heard this with undisguised satisfaction, for she had quite enough girls in her life to be jealous and envious of, without adding another to the list. Also, she especially wanted to retain the admiration of Robert Tyler, and was glad to know it was not newly endangered. “Miss Austin is very beautiful,” Gordon Lockwood declared, in his usual way of summing up a discussion and announcing his own opinion as final. “Also, she is a mystery. I live in the same boarding house—” “So do I,” put in Tyler, “and she snubs us both.” “She hasn’t snubbed me,” said Lockwood, simply. “Never mind, Oscar, she will!” returned Tyler, and then laughed immoderately at his own would-be wit. CHAPTER V THE TRAGEDY That same Sunday evening the Waring household dined alone. Oftener than not there were guests, but tonight there were only the two Peytons, Lockwood and John Waring himself. Ito, the butler, had holiday Sunday afternoon and evening, and Nogi, the second and less experienced man, was trying his best to satisfy the exactions of Mrs. Peyton as to his service at table. Helen Peyton was in a talkative mood and commented volubly on the caller of the afternoon, Miss Austin. She met little response, for her mother was absorbed in the training of the Japanese, and the two men seemed indisposed to pursue the subject. “Don’t you think she’s odd looking?” Helen asked, of Doctor Waring. “Odd looking,” he repeated; “I don’t know. I didn’t notice her especially. She seemed to me a rather distinguished type.” “Distinguished is the word,” agreed Lockwood. “What about the lecture tomorrow night, Doctor? Will Fessenden take care of it?” “No; I must lecture myself tomorrow night. I’m sorry, for I’m busy with that book revision. However, I’ll look up some data this evening, and I shall be ready for it.” “Of course you will,” laughed Mrs. Peyton. “You were never caught unready for anything!” “But it means some work,” Waring added, as he rose from the table. He went into the study, followed by Lockwood, whose experience made him aware of what books his chief would need, and he began at once to take them from the shelves. “Right,” Waring said, looking over the armful of volumes Lockwood placed on the desk and seating himself in the swivel chair. “Bring me Marcus Aurelius, too, please, and Martial.” “The classic touch,” Lockwood smiled. “Yes, it adds dignity, if one is a bit shy of material,” Waring admitted, good-naturedly. “That’s all, Lockwood. You may go, if you like.” “No, sir. I’ll stay until eleven or so. I’m pretty busy with the reports, and, too, some one may call whom I can take care of.” “Good chap you are, Lockwood. I appreciate it. Very well, then, don’t bother me unless absolutely necessary.” The secretary left the room and closed the study door behind him.