been at all intimate. He never spoke of having any relations."
"Who are the other members of the party?"
"Well, there is Dr. Tosswill, a minor official connected with the British Museum; Mr. Schneider of the Metropolitan Museum in New York; a young American secretary; Dr. Ames, who accompanies the expedition in his professional capacity; and Hassan, my husband's devoted native servant."
"Do you remember the name of the American secretary?"
"Harper, I think, but I cannot be sure. He had not been with Mr. Bleibner very long, I know. He was a very pleasant young fellow."
"Thank you, Lady Willard."
"If there is anything else———?"
"For the moment, nothing. Leave it now in my hands, and be assured that I will do all that is humanly possible to protect your son."
They were not exactly reassuring words, and I observed Lady Willard wince as he uttered them. Yet, at the same time, the fact that he had not pooh-poohed her fears seemed in itself to be a relief to her.
For my part I had never before suspected that
