"The news that you are bursting to tell me. Hold on! I'll guess at it. You are elated, therefore it is not bad; but being news and not bad it must be good--from your point of view at any rate. Then you are jubilant, so there must be something personal in it--you are sufficiently an egoist for that. I am sure that nothing business-like or official, such as the heading off the kidnappers, would have such a positive effect on you. Then, it being personal, and you having rather more of a dominant air than usual about you--Let me see--Oh!" she stopped in confusion, and a bright blush swept over her face and neck. I waited. It frightened me just a wee bit to see the unerring accuracy with which she summed me up; but she was clearing the ground for me rapidly and effectively. After a pause she said in a small voice: "Archie show me what you have got in your waistcoat pocket." It was my turn to blush a bit now. I took out the tiny case which held the gold ring and handed it to her. She took it with a look of adorable sweetness and opened it. I think she suspected only an engagement ring, for when she saw it was one of plain gold she shut the box with a sudden "Oh!" and kept it hidden in her hand, whilst her face was as red as sunset. I felt that my time had come. "Shall I tell you now?" I asked putting my arms round her. "Yes! if you wish." This was said in a low voice "But I am too surprised to think. What does it all mean? I thought that this--this sort of thing came later, and after some time was mutually fixed for--for--_it_!" "No time like the present, Marjory dear!" As she was silent, though she looked at me wistfully, I went on: "I have made a plan and I think you will approve of it. That is as a whole; even if you dislike some of the details. What do you think of an escape from the espionage of both the police and the other fellows. You got hidden before; why not again, when once you have put them off the scent. I have as a matter of fact planned a little movement which will at any rate try whether we can escape the watchfulness of these gentlemen." "Good!" she said with interest. "Well, first of all" I went on, getting nervous as I drew near the subject "Don't you think that it will be well to prevent anyone talking about us, hereafter, in an unpleasant way?" "I'm afraid I don't quite understand!" "Well, look here, Marjory. You and I are going to be much thrown together in these matters that seem to be coming on; if there is any escaping to be done, there will be watchful eyes on us before it, and gossiping tongues afterwards; and inquiries and comparing of notes everywhere. We shall have to go off together, often alone or under odd circumstances. You can't fight a mystery in the open, you know; and you can't by walking out boldly, bamboozle trained detectives who have already marked you down." "Not much; but it doesn't need any torturing of our brains with thinking to know that."