I am happy to
tell you that he was looking, under the circumstances, quite
reasonably well."
Helen caught up a photograph from the table by her side, and came
over to their visitor's side.
"This was taken just before he went out the first time," she
continued. "Is he anything like that now?"
Mr. Hamar Lessingham sighed and shook his head.
"You must expect," he warned her, "that prison and hospital have
had their effect upon him. He was gaining strength every day,
however, when I left."
Philippa held out her hand. She had been looking curiously at
their visitor.
"Helen, dear, afterwards we will get Mr. Lessingham to talk to us
about Dick," she insisted. "First there are some questions which
I must ask."
He bowed slightly and drew himself up. For a moment it seemed as
though they were entering upon a duel--the slight, beautiful woman
and the man in rags.
"Just now," she began, "you told us that you saw Major Felstead, my
brother, fifty-six hours ago."
"That is so," he assented.
"But it is impossible!" she pointed out. "My brother is a prisoner
of war in Germany."
"Precisely," he replied, "and not, I am afraid, under the happiest
conditions, he has been unfortunate in his camp. Let us talk about
him, shall we?"
"Are you mad," Helen demanded, "or are you trying to confuse us?"
"My dear young lady!" he protested.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44