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When we rose on tiptoe, I thought she was asleep, but Lois was not certain; and as we crept out onto the rifle-platform and seated ourselves in a sheltered corner under the parapet, she said uneasily: "Lanette is a strange maid, Euan. At first I knew she disliked me. Then, of a sudden, one day she came to me and clung like a child afraid. And we loved from that minute.... It is strange."
"Euan, I am sick of dread and worry, what with you out in the West with your painted scouts, and Mr. Boyd telling me that he has his doubts concerning the reliability of one o' them! And what with Lana so white and unhappy, and coming into my bed to cry against my breast at night "
She passed her slim hand across her eyes. "It was like an unreal scene a fevered vision of two phantoms in the smoky, lurid lustre of the torch. Boyd stood there dark against the light, edged with flickering flame as with a mantle, figure and visage scintilant with Lucifer's own beauty and Lana, her proud head drooping, and her sad, young eyes fixed on me Oh, Euan!"
"Lord! What a catechism is this for a free girl to answer willy-nilly! If you must know, I have played the maid of ancient Greece these two nights past. Otherwise, I had died, I think." And seeing my perplexed mien, she began to laugh. "Euan, you are stupid! Did not the Grecian maids spend half their lives in the bath?"
MacAlister's that night; and the curious thing is, that he found the order that he believed he had sent away, still in his coat pocket when he went to look. At least that's the story he tells, poor lad. 'Then, said Allan, 'how do you account for the wrong order being in the letter? Euan pondered a minute, and then said, 'Mr. Allan, there's only one explanation of it, so far as I can see.
"That's where you can help me, Euan, dear," answered the girl. "I want to find somebody at Rotterdam who will help me to make some confidential enquiries about this firm. Do you know any one? An Englishman would be best, of course ..." But Euan MacTavish was halfway to the door. "Wait there," he commanded, "till I telephone the one man in the world who can help us."
It's a serious crime, you know; house-breaking, and robbing his Majesty's mails. We can only hope it won't come to that. The hearers all drew a long breath, like a gasp. 'Let's go down and sit on the rocks, said Marjorie abruptly. 'Now, Euan, tell us how you think it happened. 'Well, said Euan, 'the only explanation is, that that order came into Neil's possession without his knowing it.
She nodded thoughtfully, looking me in the eyes. "What you tell me, Euan, is pleasant to think on. It reassures and comforts; nay, it is the sweetest thing you ever said to me that you could find no happiness in my yielding unless I yield happily.... Why, Euan, that alone would win me were it time.
And if you won't help me I suppose I shall have to go to Harry Tadworth at the Foreign Office. I came to you first because he's always so stuffy ..." Euan MacTavish pushed the girl into a chair and gave her a cigarette. He lit it for her and took one himself. His pipe had vanished into his pocket. "Of course, I'll help you," he said. "Now, tell me all about it!"
It was Betty Bleecker who interfered between them. For Mrs. Bleecker was very wrathful, Euan, and Lana's indiscretions madded her.... There was a scene.... So Boyd came no more, save when other officers came, which was every day. Somehow I have never been certain that he and Lana did not meet in secret when none suspected." "Have you proof?" I asked, cold with rage.
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