Though she had not realised it, Lois was almost fainting for food. She had not eaten any lunch, and now the hot stimulant and the fresh rolls and butter did her more good than she could have thought possible. She smiled across at him. ‘I believe I was dying of hunger,’ she announced. ‘Just like you,’ he retorted, ‘at your old games again. Always thinking of somebody else, and forgetting your own much more important self.’ ‘Well, you’ve probably saved my life. And now, Jimmy, I do want your help.’ ‘I know, old girl. I don’t need to tell you I’ll do everything I can. Just start in and let’s have the whole story. You don’t mind if I smoke?’ ‘Of course not. The first thing I have to tell you is—that I have become engaged to be married.’ ‘By Jove, you have!’ cried Jimmy, jumping up and holding out his hand. ‘I hadn’t an inkling there was anything in the wind. Best possible congratulations, old girl. I think a cousinly salutation—’ they were alone in an alcove, and he kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘And who’s the lucky man, if it’s not a secret?’ ‘Ah, there’s no luck in it, Jimmy. That’s what I’ve come about. It’s Austin Ponson.’ ‘Austin Ponson? How do you mean no luck? Why, dear girl, I congratulate you again. I have heard of him, and always that he was a white man through and through.’ Tears trembled on Lois’s long eyelashes. It took all her strength of will to speak in her normal tone. ‘Dear Jimmy, you can’t think what it means to me to hear you say that. You evidently don’t know what has happened. He’s in frightful trouble.’ Jimmy looked his question. ‘He’s just been arrested on the charge’—Lois’s lip quivered in spite of herself—‘of murdering his father.’ Her cousin whistled. ‘Good Lord!’ he cried, ‘you don’t say so? Poor old girl.’ ‘It’s terrible. Oh, Jimmy, what are we to do?’ ‘It’s damnable. But you musn’t be downhearted. Many and many a man has been arrested for a crime he has known nothing about. Don’t get upset till we’re sure there is something to be upset about. Tell me the details.’ She told him all she knew; of Austin’s visit at eleven on the fatal night, of the hoax that had been played on him, of their learning of Sir William’s disappearance the next day, of the inquest and its adjournment, of Tanner’s visit to her, of the adjourned inquest, and of Austin’s note, and her reply to it. He listened in silence till she had finished. ‘And you have no idea what this new evidence is?’ he asked at last. ‘None whatever.’ ‘Our first step will be to find that out. I think I can do that. Then if you give me authority to act for you, I’ll see him and hear what he has to say about it. That would probably be the quickest way to learn our defence.’ ‘Could I see him, Jimmy?’ Her cousin hesitated.