Am I not to stay, and won't you--won't you kiss me, Shiel ?" She came close to him-came round the table till she stood within a few feet of him.
There was one trembling instant when he would have taken her hungrily into his arms, but as if some evil spirit interposed with malign purpose, there came the sound of feet on the gravel outside, and the figure of a man darkened the doorway.

It was Augustus Burlingame, whose face as he saw Mona Crozier took on an ironical smile.
"Yes--what do you want ?" inquired Crozier quietly.

"A few words with Mr.
Crozier on business, if he is not too much occupied ?" "What business ?" "I am acting for Messrs.

Bradley, Willingden, Baxter, & Simmons." The cloud darkened on Crozier's face.

His lips tightened, his face hardened.