Never  would  he  realize  the  struggle  Helen  Morton
had  with  herself  between  the  receipt  of  his  request
and  the  sending  of  her  assent.  Had  he  known  that
only  a  high  sense  of  duty  and  spirit  of  fairness  impelled
her  to  accept  his  invitation,  his  complaisance  would
have  given  way  to  the  gravest  concern.
Following  a  premonitory  rap,  the. door  again  opened
and  Mr.  Fox  stepped  in.  ^'Captain  Jones  wires  that
your  yacht  is  off  the  Battery  awaiting  your  orders,
Mr.  Sterling."

**  Grood.    Is  my  closed  auto  here  ?  "

"At  the  entrance."

"Send  it  around  to  the  end  of  the  rear  passageway.
148  THE  MAGNET

I  will  go  out  that  way  to  avoid  the  crowd  of  curiosity-
seekers  awaiting  me  in  front.  Just  glance  down  from
that  window.  Fox,  and  see  for  yourself."

The  secretary  obediently  looked  from  the  window,
then  turned  with  an  appreciative  smile  to  his  chief.
"  I  caught  the  eye  of  your  chauffeur,  sir,  and  motioned
him  around  to  the  rear  exit.  The  crowd  didn't  see
me,  so  they  can  not  know  he  received  an  order;  they
will  wait  for  an  hour  after  you  are  gone."

"ExceUent!"

**  To  inquirers,  sir  ?  **

"Say  that  I  have  gone  out  of  town  for  a  few  days
without  leaving  any  address.  I  believe  there  is  noth-
ing you  can  not  attend  to.  Fox.  But  should  anything
occur  to  make  it  imperative,  reach  me  by  wireless.
