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 "I see!" Ogle said grimly. "With me you couldn't hope to be amused. So you didn't even answer my note."

She put her hand lightly upon his. "I knew he was going away in such a few days, and you were going to stay in Algiers." Then she smiled faintly and said in a wistful voice: "Sometimes, can't you understand, a woman like me must find something to laugh at to keep from crying?"

"But why couldn't you have written me at least a word of explanation, when you had all that time for him?"

She laughed ruefully, shook her head, and removed her hand from his. "You don't understand; perhaps you couldn't. I was in that house: I didn't dare to write a note. I didn't write to Mr. Tinker; I had promised on the boat to meet him at M. Cayzac's office. But what you must think of, please, it is that I knew you would stay in Algiers a long time; I knew I would see you. But I wish to be frank with you: he interests me, that man. I like him very, very much."

"Yes," Ogle said coldly. "I think you've made it apparent."

She gave him a long look then, and smiled sorrow-