"Fraser has a reliable man in Berlin; he sent the information. We have acted upon it--in the brewery--and I did not mean to wait weeks for a chance when war is declared," he said. "Duncan Fraser seems to be a valuable mine of information," she said. "He is. Do you know, he's a wonderful man, Eve." She laughed as she replied: "Your father always had a high opinion of his abilities." "You and my father were jolly good friends." "We were on excellent terms; I liked him." "He could be very agreeable when he chose." "And in that respect his son resembles him." Alan laughed. "Then I suppose you do not think I always choose to be agreeable?" he said. "You have lapses; sometimes you are almost rude, most abrupt, somewhat neglectful of your best friends." "Oh, I say! That's not a very flattering picture. To which of my best friends have I been neglectful?" he asked. "Myself--for one." He looked surprised. "That charge will not stand being put to the test," he answered. "You have not been to see me since Ascot," she said. "And that comes under the charge of neglect?" "Yes. You consider me one of your friends?" "Of course; don't ask foolish questions." Alan looked particularly well this morning. He was a picture of health, a well-groomed man; his eyes were bright as he looked at her, thinking how lovely she was. To Eve he was more attractive than ever. She loved him with her whole heart and soul, every nerve in her body thrilled toward him; and there he stood, smiling at her placidly, when she longed for him to take her in his arms, crush her, pour out a tale of love into her waiting, willing ears. Why could he not see it? She held herself in bounds, but it was difficult. "When do you join the Sherwoods?" she asked. "I have joined; I am on leave. I have to put a lot of things straight at Trent Park. I had no idea there was so much to do." "But you are not in uniform," she said. "No; I thought I'd come over in ordinary attire--you might have been startled to see me in khaki." "I certainly would have been." "Eve, I want you to do something for me when I go away," he said. Her heart beat fast, this was more promising. "You know I am only too willing to do anything I can for you." "That's good of you. I want you to keep an eye on things at Trent Park." "You have a very capable housekeeper." "Oh, yes; but even she wants supervising sometimes." "And you think I can do it?" she asked with a smile. "Nobody can do it so well; you are accustomed to manage, always have been. I've heard my father say so, and of course I've noticed it myself," said Alan. He looked at her curiously, mischief in his eyes. "I believe my governor was more than half in love with you, Eve," he said. She felt hot, uncomfortable; Alan's father had been very much in love, or infatuated, with her. "How foolish! Don't be absurd, Alan," she said hastily.