The ex-tutor, and present hawker of books, was reading a Latin author when Gerald entered, but flung it aside when the young man, conducted by a waiter, appeared on the threshold. He was about to greet the newcomer, but on seeing the waiter turned aside to look out of the window. To make an excuse for entering Gerald ordered a glass of whisky and soda, which he truly needed, so wrought up was he, by the strain and stress of the situation. The waiter disappeared and soon came back with the drink. While he was absent Gerald eyed Arnold--who still did not speak--and sat down near the fireless grate. But a glance passed between the two men which showed mutual recognition. Arnold was a remarkably small man, quite worthy to be called a dwarf, but he was not deformed in any way. His body, his hands and feet and his head, were all perfectly proportioned, and the most noticeable thing about him was his long gray beard, which fell below his waist. He had a noble forehead, crowned with long loose gray hair and two vividly blue eyes, penetrating and unblinking. No one could have called the little man ugly, but, owing to his small stature and noble beard, he looked uncanny. Gerald, ever imaginative, thought at once of the Norwegian gnomes and kobolds, although Arnold was not so grotesquely ugly as those earth fairies of legend. When the waiter finally left the coffee-room, and the two men had it all to themselves, Arnold moved swiftly forward and gripped Gerald's hand, before the young man was aware of his intention. "You are the lover of my dear girl," he said, in a singularly melodious voice. "I knew you at once, from her description of you." "I can return the compliment," said Gerald, responding to the warm clasp. "Mavis told me what you were like, and indeed, I also have the description given in 'The Arabian Nights' to go upon." "Schaibar!" said Arnold, with a smile. "Yes; she always called me that. I am glad that you have obeyed my summons so speedily, Mr. Haskins, as I am sure that you are a true friend to my unhappy pupil." "I am her lover," replied Gerald quietly, "and, as her lover, I am prepared to go any lengths to save her from that rascal." "Meaning Major Rebb?" "Of course! He is trying to ruin Mavis, in order to get her money." "I wonder how you found that out, Mr. Haskins." "It's a long story and----" "And you can tell it to me and Mavis." "Mavis!" Gerald stared. "What do you mean? Have you any idea where she is, Mr. Arnold?" "Of course," answered the little man quietly; "it was for that reason that I wired to you. Mavis told me that you were stopping at Denleigh." "As a matter of fact I am--or rather I was--stopping at the Prince's Head, Silbury," explained Gerald, "but your wire was sent on to me. I heard from Mrs. Jennings, and from Rebb also, that you were in the neighborhood of Leegarth." "And it was very lucky for Mavis that I was," said Arnold, nodding. "Only by being on the spot was I enabled to save her from arrest."