“Then your ladyship should change your friend,” said Dorn good-naturedly, “and, lest you should think that the fine feelings of Mr. Chesney Praye are lacerated by my suggestion, I will relieve your mind. There are only two things that annoy Chesney, and they are to lose money he has and to be thwarted in any attempt to get money which doesn’t belong to him. Can I speak with you alone, Miss Reddle?” “I forbid----” began the countess. “May I?” Lois hesitated, nodded, and preceded him from the room. It was in the hall, deserted even by the footman, that he spoke his mind. “I confess I didn’t expect the succession of accidents which have followed one another at such close intervals since you have been in this house,” he said. “I only consented to your coming here at all because I thought that----” “_You_ consented?” Her eyes opened wide. She flushed with sudden anger. “Does it occur to you, Mr. Dorn, that I do not require your consent?” “I’m sorry.” He was humility itself. “I am on the wrong track, but my nerves are a little jangled. What I wanted to say was that I ought to have known, after you received those poisoned chocolates----” She went pale. “Poisoned?” she whispered. He nodded. “Of course they were poisoned. Hydrocyanic acid. Why did you think I came into your room that night to get them away? I came with my heart in my mouth as I did a few minutes ago, expecting to find you dead.” “Why are you so--so interested in me?” she asked, but he evaded the question. “Will you leave this house to-day and go back to Charlotte Street?” She shook her head. “I can’t until to-morrow. I’ve promised Lady Moron that I would stay with her until then, and I’m sure, Mr. Dorn, that you’re mistaken. Who would send me poisoned chocolates?” “Who would try to run you down with a car?” he countered. “Look at this.” He put his hand in his waistcoat pocket and took out a little roll of cloth. “Do you recognise this stuff?” Her mouth opened in astonishment. “Why, that is a piece of my skirt that was cut out when the car----” “Exactly, and I found it hanging on the car. The people who garaged it were in such a hurry that they didn’t attempt to examine or to clean the machine.” “But who--who is this enemy of mine?” she asked in a low voice. He shook his head. “Some day I will tell you his name. I think I have already told you too much, and made myself just a little bit too conspicuous. My only hope is that the knowledge that I am around will scare them. You can’t leave to-night?” “No, it is impossible,” she said. He nodded. “All right.” He glanced past her to Lady Moron, who was standing at the door of the library, deeply engaged in conversation with Chesney Praye. Presently he caught the eye of the red-faced man. “I want you, Praye.” He walked out of the house, waiting on the sidewalk for Chesney to join him. “Now see here, Dorn----” began the other loudly.