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24 "Ah,—English, I should say?"

"American."

His host's face fell somewhat. It brightened as he ventured:—

"Did you ever chance to be in Eastern ports with any of Her Majesty's ships?" And when Archer, wondering, gave a negative answer, there was silence for a time.

"It is a pity," the little man reflected. "It was a foolish hope, of course,—but we like to reach out after all the little fragments—glimpses"—he ended with something like a sigh. This time the silence grew embarrassing.

"Father," said the girl quietly, "don't you think"—

The large eyes of the pale little man came back sadly, as from a distance. "Your pardon, Helen," he said. "I have long since forgotten my manners. This is my daughter, Mr."—

Archer, supplying the name, spoke to the girl for the first time face to face. Her words were as conventional as his, but something in voice and manner, something frank, bright,