CHAPTER XI.
STELLA RUNS TO EARTH "You have been back in England long ?" asked Stella Croyle.
"A little while," said Hillyard evasively.
It was the first week of September.

But since his return from Rackham Park to London his days had been passed in the examination of files of documents; and what little time he had enjoyed free from that labour had been given to quiet preparations for his departure.
"You might have come to see me," Stella Croyle suggested.

"You knew that I wished to see you." "Yes, but I have been very busy," he answered.

"I am going away." Stella Croyle looked at him curiously.
"You too! You have joined up ?" Hillyard shook his head.
"No good," he answered.

"I told you my lungs were my weak point.