The secrecy with which I had entered and left caused me considerable curiosity. Kemsley was one of those free, bluff, open-hearted, open-handed, men. He was never secretive, never elusive. I could only account for his curious, mystifying actions by the fact that the reputation of a woman was at stake--that he was acting for her protection. And I was to meet that woman face to face in eight days' time! As I walked towards Gloucester Road Station--where I hoped to find a taxi--all was silence. At that hour the streets of South Kensington are as deserted as a graveyard, and as I bent towards the cutting wind from the east, I wondered who could be the mysterious woman who had broken up my dear friend's future plans. Yet he bore her no malice. Some men's temperaments are really curious. Beneath a street-lamp I paused and looked at the superscription upon the envelope. It ran: "For E. P. K." The initial K! Was the lady Digby's wife? That was the suspicion which at once fell upon me, and by which I became convinced. At half-past one o'clock I let myself into my own flat in Albemarle Street. The faithful Haines, who had been a marine wardroom servant in the navy before entering my employ, was awaiting me. "The telephone bell rang ten minutes ago, sir," he said. "Sir Digby Kemsley wishes to speak to you." "Very well!" I replied. "You can go to bed." The man placed my tray with whisky and soda upon the little table near my chair, as was his habit, and, wishing me good-night, retired. I went to the telephone, and asked for Digby's number. After a few seconds a voice, which at first I failed to recognise, replied to mine: "I say, Royle; I'm so sorry to disturb you, old chap, but could you possibly come back here at once?" "What?" I asked, very surprised. "Is it so very important? Can't it wait till to-morrow?" "No, unfortunately it can't. It's most imperative that I should see you. Something has happened. Do come!" he begged. "But don't attract attention--you understand!" "Something happened!" I echoed. "What?" "That woman. Come at once--do, there's a good fellow. Will you--for my sake and hers?" The mention of the woman decided me, so I replied "All right!" and hung up the receiver. Within half an hour I alighted in Courtfield Gardens and walked up Harrington Gardens to the door of my friend's house, which I saw was already ajar in anticipation of my arrival. Closing the door noiselessly, in order not to attract the attention of the alert porter who lived in the basement, I crept up the carpeted stairs to the door of the flat, which I found also ajar. Having closed the door, I slipped into the hall and made my way to the warm, cosy room I had left earlier that night. The door was closed, and without ceremony I turned the handle. I threw it open laughingly in order to surprise my friend, but next instant halted in amazement upon the threshold. I stood there breathless, staring in speechless wonder, and drawing back.