Captain Pollock, of course, had been informed and had repeated his red-taped suspicions. But, having no reliable or actual evidence upon which to base his assertions, Barton seemed inclined to disregard them. I noticed this, putting it down to the usual disagreement which exists in officialdom the world over. No one official has ever been known to be in actual accord with another in another Department. That's why the clock of State creaks on so rustily in every civilised community. Arrived at that motoring rendezvous, the Burford Bridge Hotel, we took a stroll in its picturesque grounds on the slope of Box Hill, leafless and deserted on that December afternoon. Having walked some distance along the gravelled paths, we sat together upon a seat, when her sudden silence caused me to ponder. Since we had been walking she had scarcely uttered a word, and had appeared utterly absorbed. At last she exclaimed: "I shall be so very glad when they let me fly again, Claude. I feel ever so much better now--quite my old self again." "I'm delighted to hear that," was my reply. "But you must wait another week or two before you take out your machine. Your man is overhauling it thoroughly. When I was at Hendon yesterday I saw that he had taken down the engine." "Yes. I'm most anxious to help you, dear, with your great invention. How is it getting on?" "Famously," I replied. "Teddy and I have been working hard for the last four days, and have made progress in both lightening the weight of the outfit, and increasing its power. I've ordered a big new dynamo to be constructed on such lines that it can be placed on my machine with a second engine. This engine will either run the dynamo, or the propeller." "Of course, I quite see," she exclaimed. "You must have a second engine for night-flying. How long will it be, do you think, before you can make a trial flight?" she asked anxiously. "Early in January I hope, darling." "And you will let me come with you--won't you? Now promise me. Do," she urged, placing her gloved hand upon my arm, and looking earnestly into my face. "Yes. I promise," I answered laughing. "Teddy will, no doubt, be very anxious to come, but you shall make the first flight, darling. It is your privilege." "May I come out to Gunnersbury and help you?" she asked. "I'm quite all right again, I assure you." "When Sir Charles gives his consent, then you may come," I replied. "I'll ask him to-morrow," she cried gladly. "I'm so horribly tired of leading an idle life at home. Lionel lunched with us yesterday, and took me out to a _matinee_. It was quite jolly to have such a change. We had tea at the Piccadilly afterwards." "Lionel!" I exclaimed in surprise. "Yes. Why? Are you jealous--you dear old thing?" I drew a deep breath, and she evidently noticed my displeasure. "Jealous!" I cried with affected nonchalance. "Why should I be?"