charged guiltily, as they handed their cloaks to the maid who took his things also, "and I brought you back early!"
"But we were very glad to come back!" Mrs. Varris replied. "Indeed, we consider ourselves very fortunate in having this opportunity to see you again, for we are planning to leave to-morrow for Cornwall. And then in two weeks we sail for home. So it was most fortunate that we heard of your being here to-day, was it not?"
"Certainly, for me, Mrs. Varris," the young American affirmed fervently. "And I certainly am indebted to whoever told you."
The maid had closed the door behind them and disappeared; and, as they all sat down, Preston saw again the girl's peculiar and frankly amused smile.
"Are you, Mr. Preston?" she asked.
"I certainly am!"
"Then it was your friends—and followers, too, I presume I may say—the police!"
"The police?"
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