As he hastened after it he heard the swish of skirts and detected in the air a familiar odor, the subtle scent of a perfume that he could not forget were he to live a thousand years. The next moment she came swiftly around a corner in the hall, hurrying to her rooms. They met and both started in surprise, her eyes falling to his travelling-bag, and then lifting to his face in bewilderment. He checked his hurried flight and she came quite close to him. The lights in the hall were dim and the elevator car had dropped to regions below. "Where are you going?" she asked in some agitation. "I am going back to New York," he answered, controlling himself with an effort. She was so beautiful, there in the dim hallway. "To-night?" she asked in very low tones. "In half an hour." "And were you going without saying good-by to--to us?" she went on rapidly. He looked steadily down into her solemn eyes for a moment and an expression of pain, of longing, came into his own. "It couldn't make any difference whether I said good-by to you, and it would have been hard," he replied unsteadily. "Hard? I don't understand you," she said. "I didn't want to see you. Yes, I hoped to get away before you knew anything about it. Maybe it was cowardly, but it was the best way," he cried bitterly. "What do you mean?" she cried, and he detected alarm, confusion, guilt in her manner. "You know what I mean. I know everything--I knew it before I came here, before I saw you. It's why I am here, I'm ashamed to say. But, have no fear--have no fear! I've given up the job--the nasty job--and you can do as you please. The only trouble is that I have been caught in the web; I've been trapped myself. You've made me care for you. That's why I'm giving it all up. Don't look so frightened--I'll promise to keep your secret." Her eyes were wide, her lips parted, but no words came; she seemed to shrink from him as if he were the headsman and she his victim. "I'll do it, right or wrong!" he gasped suddenly. And in an instant his satchel clattered to the floor and his arms were straining the slight figure to his breast. Burning lips met hers and sealed them tight. She shivered violently, struggled for an instant in his mad embrace, but made no outcry. Gradually her free arm stole upward and around his neck and her lips responded to the passion in his. His kiss of ecstasy was returned. The thrill of joy that shot through him was almost overpowering. A dozen times he kissed her. Unbelieving, he held her from him and looked hungrily into her eyes. They were wet with tears. "Why do you go? I love you!" she whispered faintly. Then came the revulsion. With an oath he threw her from him. Her hands went to her temples and a moan escaped her lips. "Bah!" he snarled. "Get away from me! Heaven forgive me for being as weak as I've been to-night!" "Sam!" she wailed piteously. "Don't tell me anything! Don't try to explain! Be honest with one man, at least!"